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
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
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
What To Know The EIA predicted that, while electric heating could increase in cost by an average of 4 percent, the costs of natural gas, propane and heating oil will likely all be lower than prices last winter.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Irene Yoo
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Platner’s campaign has an air of John Fetterman about it and thus far has proved both well organized and well oiled.
—Liz Mair, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oil
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Add the mozzarella slices and basil, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
What To Know The EIA predicted that, while electric heating could increase in cost by an average of 4 percent, the costs of natural gas, propane and heating oil will likely all be lower than prices last winter.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Once your table is ready, heat up your grill on the burner—use a small piece of fat to oil the grill, or a paper towel lightly soaked in vegetable or sesame oil.
—Irene Yoo
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Platner’s campaign has an air of John Fetterman about it and thus far has proved both well organized and well oiled.
—Liz Mair, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oil
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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