volatile oil

noun

: an oil that vaporizes readily
especially : essential oil

Examples of volatile oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With the ongoing demand being impacted by the incoming Labor Day Weekend travel, volatile oil prices and hurricane season looming, further price hikes may be in store. The Arizona Republic, 24 Aug. 2023 When working with chiles, wear plastic or rubber gloves because chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2023 Sugared lemon peels are stored in an airtight container for several hours or days to release their volatile oils (which contain their aroma and flavor). Ali Ramee, Southern Living, 23 June 2023 To release lavender’s volatile oils, smoosh the lavender into the water. Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 9 June 2023 Test Kitchen Tip: Because chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023 Over nearly a decade Ms. Nabiullina has been one of Mr. Putin’s most stalwart allies in buttressing the Russian economy against volatile oil prices and U.S. sanctions in a growing face-off with the West, while remaining one of the few liberals who hold senior positions in the Russian government. Thomas Grove, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 The genetically susceptible cats are responding to a volatile oil in the stems and leaves of the plant Nepeta cataria and other Nepeta species, which are members of the mint family. Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2018 But analysts said that over the next decade those renewable sources should help tamp down energy costs, reducing the toll that volatile oil, natural gas and coal prices can take on family budgets and business profits. New York Times, 3 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'volatile 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

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of volatile oil was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near volatile oil

Cite this Entry

“Volatile oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volatile%20oil. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

volatile oil

noun
: an oil that vaporizes readily
especially : essential oil compare fatty oil

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