oil

A liquid fat used to cook food or add flavour to it.

• Heat the oil in a pan.
• She added olive oil to the salad.
• Can I use oil instead of butter?

Common phrases: olive oil, vegetable oil, cooking oil, oil and vinegar

A thick liquid used as fuel or to help machine parts move smoothly.

• The engine needs more oil.
• We use oil to heat the house.
• Have you checked the car's oil level?

Common phrases: engine oil, heating oil, oil change, oil tank

A thick liquid found underground and used to make fuels, plastics, and other products.

• Oil prices rose again.
• The company found oil beneath the sea.
• Several countries depend heavily on their oil exports.

Similar words: petroleum, crude

Common phrases: crude oil, oil prices, oil well, oil reserves

A picture painted with colours made by mixing coloured substances with a thick liquid fat.

• The gallery bought a small oil.
• Her oils show quiet village scenes.
• An early oil by the artist sold yesterday.

Similar words: oil painting

Common phrases: an original oil, oil on canvas, a small oil

To put a slippery liquid on machine parts so they move easily.

• Please oil the door hinges.
• He oiled his bicycle chain yesterday.
• Have you oiled the moving parts recently?

Similar words: lubricate

Common phrases: oil the hinges, oil a machine, oil the chain, oil the gears