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
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Aug. 2024
If the country is going to transition to clean energy, Anastas believes the existing oil and gas infrastructure is the best fit to make that a reality.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2024
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2024
Fable & Mane has managed to share the Indian ritual of hair oiling in a way that feels meaningful, not mass-produced — the product assortment is curated and intentional, and the brand is still run by its sibling founders, Akash and Nikita Mehta.
—Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for oil 
Noun
The bristles stimulate the scalp, distribute natural oils and hair products, and add a smoothing touch to your hairstyles.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Aug. 2024
If the country is going to transition to clean energy, Anastas believes the existing oil and gas infrastructure is the best fit to make that a reality.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2024
Verb
Some hair oils, like MoroccanOil Treatment Purple, contain ingredients that tone out brassiness in gray hair—MoroccanOil’s formulation, for example, is rich in violet pigments.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2024
Fable & Mane has managed to share the Indian ritual of hair oiling in a way that feels meaningful, not mass-produced — the product assortment is curated and intentional, and the brand is still run by its sibling founders, Akash and Nikita Mehta.
—Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for oil
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.
Dictionary Entries Near oil
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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