oil

[[t]ɔ͟ɪl[/t]]

♦

oils, oiling, oiled

1) N-MASS Oil is a smooth, thick liquid that is used as a fuel and for making the parts of machines move smoothly. Oil is found underground.

The company buys and sells about 600,000 barrels of oil a day.

...the rapid rise in prices for oil and petrol.

...a small oil lamp.

2) VERB If you oil something, you put oil onto or into it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it.

[V n] A crew of assistants oiled and adjusted the release mechanism until it worked perfectly...

[V n] The leather may need to be oiled every two to three weeks in order to retain its suppleness.

Syn:

lubricate

3) N-MASS: usu n N Oil is a smooth, thick liquid made from plants and is often used for cooking.

Combine the beans, chopped mint and olive oil in a large bowl...

Drop the slices into the oil and fry until golden brown.

4) N-MASS: usu supp N Oil is a smooth, thick liquid, often with a pleasant smell, that you rub into your skin or add to your bath.

Try a hot bath with some relaxing bath oil...

My sister smeared herself with suntan oil and slept by the swimming pool all day.

5) N-COUNT: usu pl Oils are oil paintings.

Her colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.

6) N-PLURAL When an artist paints in oils, he or she uses oil paints.

When she paints in oils she always uses the same range of colours.

7) → See also , crude oil, olive oil

8) PHRASE: V inflects If you pour oil on troubled waters, you try to calm down a difficult situation.

9) PHRASE: V inflects If someone or something oils the wheels of a process or system, they help things to run smoothly and successfully.

On all such occasions, the king stands in the wings, oiling the wheels of diplomacy.

10) to burn the midnight oil → see midnight