Synonyms of oil

oil 1 of 2

noun

ˈȯi(-ə)l 

as in painting

a picture created with oil paint

that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• painting
• canvas
• oil painting
• watercolor
• mural
• fresco
• panorama
• drawing
• acrylic
• etching
• gouache
• pastel
• masterpiece
• tempera
• diptych
• distemper
• finger painting
• sketch
• aquarelle
• triptych
• showpiece
• pièce de résistance

oil

2 of 2

verb

as in to grease

to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction

if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grease
• wax
• lubricate
• wash
• slick
• wet
• water
• soak
• bathe
• drench
• douse
• souse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• dry
• roughen
• coarsen
• sear
• dehydrate
• parch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oil

Noun

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had also carried out overnight strikes against targets in Russia, including an oil refinery in Yaroslavl and a military airfield in the Rostov region. — Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Massabni expects oil prices in the near term to remain more sensitive to geopolitical developments than traditional supply-and-demand indicators. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

One of the easiest ways to take care of your nails at home is by oiling them. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 29 June 2026

Warm Wood with Brushed Brass Probably the most obvious sign your kitchen is not a member of Generation Alpha is warm wood cabinetry and brushed or oiled brass hardware, especially if both elements feature highly decorative details. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026

Phrases Containing oil

• oil painting
• oil the hand (of)
• oil the palm (of)