often attributive
1
a
: any of numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid or can be liquefied easily on warming, are soluble in ether but not in water, and leave a greasy stain on paper or cloth
b(1)
(2)
: the petroleum industry
2
: a substance (such as a cosmetic preparation) of oily consistency
bath oil
3
a
: an oil color used by an artist
b
: a painting done in oil colors
4
: unctuous or flattering speech
oiled; oiling; oils
: to smear, rub over, furnish, or lubricate with oil
: to take on fuel oil
Synonyms
Examples of oil in a Sentence
Noun
The price of crude oil is expected to rise.
We heat our house with oil.
A little bit of oil will help lubricate the chain.
Add a little oil to the pan and stir-fry the onions.
The dressing is made with oil, vinegar, and a pinch of herbs.
Verb
He oiled the bearings of the machine.
if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently
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Recent Examples on the Web
Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2023
Start the chicken skin side down in a skillet to let the fat render slowly, resulting in crispy skin without the need for extra oil.
—Samantha MacAvoy, Women's Health, 9 Sep. 2023
Cook in batches: Overcrowding the pan will cause your oil temperature to drop and your chicken to become soggy.
—Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023
Hair oils and serums that keep the frizz away and give shine may be all that is needed to keep 3B curls looking lush.
—Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023
The salt Marinades generally contain salt, acid, fat (typically in the form of oil) and aromatics.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
The formula is all grown up, with synthetic beeswax and castor seed oil to keep skin and lips moisturized in the driest offices.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
What is the healthiest oil to cook with?Most have some benefits but these two might be best.
—Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
Her father, the late Jack Sloan Rolf, was a reporter for the Dallas Times Herald who later became an oil and gas industry publicist.
—Robert T. Garrett, Dallas News, 28 Aug. 2023
Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Aug. 2023
Grill dough, oiled side down, over direct heat, covered, until top begins to bubble and bottom is crisp, 2 to 4 minutes (use tongs to peek underneath).
—Joy Cho, Women's Health, 21 Aug. 2023
Enjoy the natural flavors and therapeutic effects of Canna River's CBD oils.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023
The trimming, the combing, the shaping, the beard oils!
—Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 7 Aug. 2023
Keeping up with maintenance, like oiling the bar, is another safety consideration.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2023
Once clean and hot, use tongs and a paper towel to thoroughly oil the grill grates or grill pan.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2023
Even the pair’s conventional deterrence measures—such as oiling the ravens’ eggs, which prevents them from hatching—are carried out with high-tech flair, including the use of drones.
—Brett Marty, The New Yorker, 19 July 2023
In the other camp: Karmel is a strong advocate for oiling your food instead of the grates.
—Becky Krystal, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2023
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Noun
Then last week, the Biden administration revoked oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that had been unanimously supported by Alaska’s congressional delegation.
—Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2023
Start the chicken skin side down in a skillet to let the fat render slowly, resulting in crispy skin without the need for extra oil.
—Samantha MacAvoy, Women's Health, 9 Sep. 2023
Cook in batches: Overcrowding the pan will cause your oil temperature to drop and your chicken to become soggy.
—Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023
Hair oils and serums that keep the frizz away and give shine may be all that is needed to keep 3B curls looking lush.
—Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023
The salt Marinades generally contain salt, acid, fat (typically in the form of oil) and aromatics.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
The formula is all grown up, with synthetic beeswax and castor seed oil to keep skin and lips moisturized in the driest offices.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
What is the healthiest oil to cook with?Most have some benefits but these two might be best.
—Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
Her father, the late Jack Sloan Rolf, was a reporter for the Dallas Times Herald who later became an oil and gas industry publicist.
—Robert T. Garrett, Dallas News, 28 Aug. 2023
Verb
Derulo is then seen heading to the hospital, before the doctors try oiling and icing his finger themselves before resorting to cutting the ring off entirely.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Aug. 2023
Grill dough, oiled side down, over direct heat, covered, until top begins to bubble and bottom is crisp, 2 to 4 minutes (use tongs to peek underneath).
—Joy Cho, Women's Health, 21 Aug. 2023
Enjoy the natural flavors and therapeutic effects of Canna River's CBD oils.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023
The trimming, the combing, the shaping, the beard oils!
—Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 7 Aug. 2023
Keeping up with maintenance, like oiling the bar, is another safety consideration.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2023
Once clean and hot, use tongs and a paper towel to thoroughly oil the grill grates or grill pan.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2023
Even the pair’s conventional deterrence measures—such as oiling the ravens’ eggs, which prevents them from hatching—are carried out with high-tech flair, including the use of drones.
—Brett Marty, The New Yorker, 19 July 2023
In the other camp: Karmel is a strong advocate for oiling your food instead of the grates.
—Becky Krystal, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English oile, from Anglo-French, from Latin oleum olive oil, from Greek elaion, from elaia olive
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of oil was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing oil
Dictionary Entries Near oil
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
oil
1 of 2 noun1
a
: any of numerous greasy flammable usually liquid substances from plant, animal, or mineral sources that do not dissolve in water and are used especially as lubricants, fuels, and food
b
2
: something (as a cosmetic) like oil or containing an oil
bath oil
suntan oil
3
a
: artist's paints made of pigments and oil
b
: a painting done in oils
oil
2 of 2 verb
: to put oil in or on
Medical Definition
oil
noun1
: any of numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid or can be liquefied easily on warming, are soluble in ether but not in water, and leave a greasy stain on paper or cloth see essential oil, fatty oil, volatile oil
2
: a substance (as a cosmetic preparation) of oily consistency
bath oil
oil
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on oil
Nglish: Translation of oil for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of oil for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oil
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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