# oil

/ˈɔɪɫ/ (US) · /ˈɔɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oil
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. cooking/food

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. fuel/petroleum

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. lubricant

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. art

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to lubricate

verb · CEFR B1

to put oil on something so that it moves smoothly.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Add a little olive oil to the pan before cooking.
- The mechanic checked the engine oil to ensure the car was safe for the long trip.
- Global markets reacted sharply to the news of the supply disruption, causing the price of crude oil to fluctuate significantly throughout the trading day.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.