Oil (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun
  1. any of a large class of substances typically unctuous, viscous, combustible, liquid at ordinary temperatures, and soluble in ether or alcohol but not in water: used for anointing, perfuming, lubricating, illuminating, heating, etc.
  2. a substance of this or similar consistency.
  3. refined or crude petroleum.
  4. Painting.
  5. unctuous hypocrisy; flattery.
  6. an oilskin garment.
  7. facts or news; information: good oil.
verb (used with object)
  1. to smear, lubricate, or supply with oil.
  2. to bribe.
  3. to make unctuous or smooth: to oil his words.
  4. to convert into oil by melting, as butter.
adjective
  1. pertaining to or resembling oil.
  2. using oil, especially as a fuel: an oil furnace.
  3. concerned with the production or use of oil: an offshore oil rig.
  4. made with oil.
  5. obtained from oil.
Idioms
  1. to attempt to calm a difficult or tense situation, as an argument.
  2. strike oil,
    • to discover oil, especially to bring in a well.
    • to have good luck, especially financially; make an important and valuable discovery: They struck oil only after years of market research.
noun
  1. any of a number of viscous liquids with a smooth sticky feel. They are usually flammable, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and are obtained from plants and animals, from mineral deposits, and by synthesis. They are used as lubricants, fuels, perfumes, foodstuffs, and raw materials for chemicals
    • any of a number of substances usually derived from petroleum and used for lubrication
    • (in combination)
    • (as modifier)
  4. a petroleum product used as a fuel in domestic heating, industrial furnaces, marine engines, etc
  5. British
    • paraffin, esp when used as a domestic fuel
    • (as modifier)
  6. any substance of a consistency resembling that of oil
  7. the solvent, usually linseed oil, with which pigments are mixed to make artists' paints
    • oil colour or paint
    • (as modifier)
  9. an oil painting
  10. facts or news
  11. strike oil
    • to discover petroleum while drilling for it
    • to become very rich or successful
verb (tr)
  1. to lubricate, smear, polish, etc, with oil or an oily substance
  2. to bribe (esp in the phrase oil someone's palm)
  3. to make things run smoothly
  4. See well-oiled
    Oil (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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