grease

1 of 2

noun

ˈgrēs 

1

a

: rendered animal fat

b

: oily matter

c

: a thick lubricant

2

: wool as it comes from the sheep retaining the natural oils or fats

greaseless

ˈgrēs-ləs 

adjective

greaseproof

ˈgrēs-ˈprüf 

adjective

see also:

in the grease

grease

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrēs  ˈgrēz 

greased; greasing

transitive verb

1

: to smear or daub with grease

2

: to lubricate with grease

3

: to soil with grease

4

: to hasten the process or progress of

also : facilitate

see also:

grease the hand of

Synonyms of grease

Verb

• oil
• wax
• lubricate
• wet

Examples of grease in a Sentence

Verb

Grease the pan before you put the cake batter in.

make sure you grease the pan before you put the batter in

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some had grease reservoirs that were more difficult to clean. —Jennifer Zyman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026

If Paglen and Burtynsky are more like mechanics—lifting the hood and getting grease on their hands—Eliasson and Anadol are in the car-wash business. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026

Verb

Fire ants are attracted to grease, so clean up any spills around your trash cans. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2026

Lightly grease 2 baking sheets; arrange knots 2 inches apart on baking sheets. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English grese, from Anglo-French gresse, greisse, creisse, from Vulgar Latin *crassia, from Latin crassus fat

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grease

• a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil
• elbow grease
• grease monkey
• grease pencil
• grease the hand of
• grease the palm of
• grease the wheels
• in the grease
• wool grease

Rhymes for grease

• cease
• crease
• fleece
• gees
• geese
• grece
• lease
• leese
• niece
• piece
• prese
• seis

Kids Definition

grease

1 of 2 noun

ˈgrēs 

1

: melted animal fat

2

: oily matter

3

: a thick lubricant

grease

2 of 2 verb

ˈgrēs  ˈgrēz 

greased; greasing

1

: to smear with grease

2

: to lubricate with grease

greaser noun