/ ɔɪl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] a thick liquid that is found in rock underground
SYN petroleum :
drilling for oil
2.
[ U ] a form of petroleum that is used as fuel and to make parts of machines move smoothly :
engine oil
an oil lamp / heater
Put some oil in the car.
3.
[ U , C ] a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants or animals and is used in cooking :
olive oil
vegetable oils
4.
[ U , C ] a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants, minerals, etc. and is used on the skin or hair :
lavender bath oil
suntan oil
—see also essential oil
5.
[ U ] (also oils [ pl. ]) coloured paint containing oil used by artists :
a painting done in oils
landscapes in oil
—see also oil paint
6.
[ C ] = oil painting :
Among the more important Turner oils was 'Venus and Adonis'.
—see also oily , castor oil , cod liver oil , linseed oil
•
IDIOMS
see burn verb , pour
■ verb
[ vn ] to put oil onto or into sth, for example a machine, in order to protect it or make it work smoothly :
He oiled his bike and pumped up the tyres.
•
IDIOMS
- oil the wheels
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old Northern French olie , Old French oile , from Latin oleum (olive) oil; compare with olea olive.