What does "oil" mean?

1. (cooking/food) a thick liquid made from plants or animals that you use for cooking. 2. (fuel/petroleum) a thick liquid found underground that is used for fuel or to make petrol. 3. (lubricant) a smooth liquid used to make the parts of a machine move easily. 4. (art) a type of paint made by mixing colour with oil, or a painting made this way. 5. (to lubricate) to put oil on something so that it moves smoothly.

oil — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01cooking/food

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Cooking

n. a thick liquid made from plants or animals that you use for cooking.

n. any of various viscous, combustible, liquid substances that are typically edible and derived from plants or animals.

“Heat a little olive oil in the pan before adding the onions.”

“The chef recommended using a neutral vegetable oil for frying to ensure the delicate flavours of the seafood remained prominent.”

Synonyms

fat grease

02fuel/petroleum

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun

n. a thick liquid found underground that is used for fuel or to make petrol.

n. petroleum or a substance derived from it, used as a source of energy or as a raw material in manufacturing.

“The price of oil has gone up, making it more expensive to heat homes.”

“Geopolitical tensions in the region led to a sharp increase in the global price of crude oil, impacting transport costs worldwide.”

Synonyms

petroleum fuel

03lubricant

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Technology

n. a smooth liquid used to make the parts of a machine move easily.

n. a substance used as a lubricant to reduce friction between moving surfaces.

“The bicycle chain needs some oil because it is making a clicking noise.”

“Regular maintenance requires checking the engine oil levels to prevent internal components from seizing due to excessive friction.”

Synonyms

lubricant

04art

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a type of paint made by mixing colour with oil, or a painting made this way.

n. oil paint used as a medium in art, or a finished work produced using this medium.

“The museum has a famous collection of nineteenth-century oils.”

“The artist preferred working in oils because the slow drying time allowed for more complex blending of light and shadow.”

Synonyms

oil paint canvas

05to lubricate

B1 · Intermediate

v. to put oil on something so that it moves smoothly.

v. to apply oil to a surface or mechanism to reduce friction or provide protection.

“I need to oil the door hinges to stop them from squeaking.”

“The technician carefully oiled the moving parts of the clockwork mechanism to ensure its continued accuracy over the coming years.”

Synonyms

lubricategrease

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “oil” in context.

01. oil company 02. oil reserves 03. oil companies 04. oil prices 05. oil refineries 06. oil refinery 07. oil a day 08. oil exports

“Oil prices topped $100 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time in six weeks as an escalation in fighting by U.S. and Iranian forces deepened concerns over supply from the region and raised fears of inflationary pressures and higher energy costs for consumers and businesses.”

Reuters 9 Sept 2026

“Oil prices fell on Monday, settling at their lowest levels in over a week, after the U.S. abruptly suspended a campaign of air strikes against Iran over the weekend, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Reuters 28 Jul 2026

“From avocado to hemp, extra virgin olive and rapeseed, the shops are packed with various oils.”

The Guardian 26 Apr 2026

“The conflict pushed the price of oil to an average of $100 (£74) a barrel in March, leading to estimated windfall war profits for the month of $23bn for the companies.”

The Guardian 15 Apr 2026

From Middle English oyle, oile (“olive oil”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman olie, from Latin oleum (“oil, olive oil”), from Ancient Greek ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil”), from ἐλαία (elaía, “olive”). Compare Proto-Slavic *lojь. More at olive. Doublet of oleum. Supplanted Middle English ele (“oil”), from Old English ele (“oil”), also from Latin.