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
Recent Examples on the Web
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2024
The production of coal, oil, natural gas and cement combined for around 30,000 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2022 alone.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
China provides Russia with diplomatic cover and an economic lifeline by purchasing Russian oil, gas and coal, and by selling Chinese consumer goods and technology to Russia.
—Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Made from vegan ingredients, this lip oil is a powerful combination of mango butter, lavender oil, and vitamin E, giving my lips the ultimate shine.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
Essential botanical oils crafted in Maui (which are changed with the moon phases), herbs grown on site, and volcanic clay are utilized in body treatments.
—Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
The lightweight serum is formulated with antioxidants, gardenia flower, and melon seed oil to give hair shine and protect it from damage.
—Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
The avo oil is a standout for smoothing and hydrating all hair types.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the garlic, celery, onion, bell pepper, and reserved corn, and cook until the onion is translucent, 7–8 minutes.
—David Guas, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
No people were injured or killed, but the spill oiled 69 miles of shore.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Keep in Mind It should be hand washed and oiled regularly.
—Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024
Wood is also best maintained with oil, so consider oiling the surface a few times a year.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
After oiling, water should run off rather than soaking in.
—Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024
One bird — a Brandt’s cormorant — that had been oiled died over the weekend.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
Bitcoin remains about $20,000 below the record high the token hit in 2021, during a pandemic-era bull run oiled by easy money.
—Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
Campbell’s hair was more polished than the other models’ windswept looks, while blush contoured her prominent cheekbones and oiled, porcelain highpoints.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
Formulated with squalane for hydration and luminosity and fermented green tea seed oil that contains vitamin C and antioxidant and antiseptic properties, this easy-to-apply formula immediately lifts the complexion and helps to make the perfect monochrome makeup look.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2024
The production of coal, oil, natural gas and cement combined for around 30,000 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2022 alone.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
China provides Russia with diplomatic cover and an economic lifeline by purchasing Russian oil, gas and coal, and by selling Chinese consumer goods and technology to Russia.
—Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Made from vegan ingredients, this lip oil is a powerful combination of mango butter, lavender oil, and vitamin E, giving my lips the ultimate shine.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
Essential botanical oils crafted in Maui (which are changed with the moon phases), herbs grown on site, and volcanic clay are utilized in body treatments.
—Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
The lightweight serum is formulated with antioxidants, gardenia flower, and melon seed oil to give hair shine and protect it from damage.
—Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
The avo oil is a standout for smoothing and hydrating all hair types.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the garlic, celery, onion, bell pepper, and reserved corn, and cook until the onion is translucent, 7–8 minutes.
—David Guas, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
To keep your cutting board looking good as new, be sure to oil it at least once a month.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
No people were injured or killed, but the spill oiled 69 miles of shore.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Keep in Mind It should be hand washed and oiled regularly.
—Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024
Wood is also best maintained with oil, so consider oiling the surface a few times a year.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
After oiling, water should run off rather than soaking in.
—Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024
One bird — a Brandt’s cormorant — that had been oiled died over the weekend.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
Bitcoin remains about $20,000 below the record high the token hit in 2021, during a pandemic-era bull run oiled by easy money.
—Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
Campbell’s hair was more polished than the other models’ windswept looks, while blush contoured her prominent cheekbones and oiled, porcelain highpoints.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Feb. 2024
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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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