oils 1 of 2

plural of oil

oils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of oil
as in greases
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oils
Noun
Also, its rolling olive oil cart, replete with its own menu describing the oils’ characteristics and origins, allows passengers to sample many. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 Bathing too often strips natural oils and dries out the skin and coat. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026 Bathing too frequently can strip the natural oils from your dog’s coat and leave the skin dry. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 Polyunsaturated fats includes the omega-3 fats found mostly in fish are found in other cooking oils. — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 21 Sep. 2026 Leave-in conditioners, coat oils, paw balms, deodorizing mists and designer dog perfume all compete for space. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026 Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow delivers luminous color with an ingredient list (sweet almond, argan, and shea butter oils, and cacao seed butter) that reads like a lip treatment. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026 Wear an undershirt beneath sweaters, button-downs or jackets to reduce contact with sweat and body oils. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 Make sure skin is clean and dry so the patch sticks — skip body lotions or oils in this area. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it. — Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oils
Noun
  • Their furrows reminded me of Rembrandt’s paintings of old men, brows carved deep by hard use and long years.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The celebration honors artists from across the metro, giving people an opportunity to observe and buy from artists selling jewelry, paintings, decorations and more.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Rectitude is a hindrance in the game of electoral politics, where money greases the slippery pole and glad-hands welcome the winner with inside information.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • View this post on Instagram Access greases the gears of the entire apparatus by creating its own positive feedback loop, like an ouroboros of exclusivity.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Video showed water coursing down the front of the glass case protecting the fabled painting, which was unharmed, according to a gallery press release, as were the six other canvases nearby.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Her earliest textured paintings were relatively simple, but flowers and bold colors quickly began taking over her canvases.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oils. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!