Meaning & use

oil

noun·Everyday

A thick, greasy liquid that does not mix with water, used as fuel, for lubrication, or in cooking.

See it in a sentence

She drizzled olive oil over the salad before serving it.

The country's entire economy relies heavily on exporting crude oil.

A note on using this word

Oil can mean petroleum extracted from the ground, cooking oils from plants, or lubricants, depending on context.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To lubricate or treat something with oil.

He oiled the bicycle chain so it would stop squeaking.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “oil”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.