lubricate

verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt 

lubricated; lubricating

transitive verb

1

: to make smooth or slippery

2

: to apply a lubricant to

intransitive verb

: to act as a lubricant

lubrication

ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

lubricative

ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tiv 

adjective

lubricator

ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• grease
• oil
• slick
• wax

Examples of lubricate in a Sentence

it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance

Recent Examples on the Web

The course of its action and the dynamics of its relationships run in familiar grooves, lubricated by generous applications of blood and goo. —Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

The shoulder joint capsule is basically a pocket of strong ligaments and lubricating synovial fluid that anchors and stabilizes the upper arm bone within the shoulder socket. —Amy Norton, SELF, 29 Jan. 2025

This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints. —Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025

Anchoring the space and lubricating it well is a new taproom from Alameda’s Almanac Beer Co. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre "to make slippery," derivative of lūbricus "slippery, hard to hold, liable to lead to false steps, hazardous" — more at sleeve

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for lubricate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

lubricate

verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt 

lubricated; lubricating

1

: to make smooth or slippery

2

: to apply a lubricant to

lubricate a car

3

: to act as a lubricant

lubrication

ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

lubricator

ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

lubricate

transitive verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-bri-ˌkāt 

lubricated; lubricating

: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance

lubricate the eye

lubricate the skin

lubrication

ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən 

noun