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 of lubricate

• grease
• oil

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

At dinner, our five-course feasts were lubricated by small-batch Peruvian wines. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026

Staying hydrated helps your body get rid of waste, lubricate joints, and protect your spinal cord. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 3 Mar. 2026

Though cold weather doesn’t have a direct impact on joints, Travis adds, it’s been shown to lead to thickening of the synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and acts as a shock absorber. —Alyssa Ages, Outside, 22 Feb. 2026

Instead of forming the lubricating melt layer like water ice does on Earth, the material would sublimate, destabilizing the surface below the skis. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026

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