a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
"The mechanic spilled some oil on the garage floor, making it too slick to walk across without slipping."
oil paint containing pigment that is used by an artist
"The artist carefully mixed fresh oil into her palette to create a vibrant sunset scene."
any of a group of liquid edible fats that are obtained from plants
"She decided to add a splash of olive oil to her salad instead of butter because she wanted something lighter for dinner."
Liquid fat.
"She added a teaspoon of oil to sauté the onions until they were soft and fragrant."
In plain English: Oil is a thick liquid made from crude petroleum that people use for cooking, cleaning, and fueling machines.
"She spilled some cooking oil on the floor while preparing dinner."
Usage: Use "oil" to refer to liquid fats derived from plants or animals, such as olive oil or cooking grease. Do not use it to describe lubricants made from petroleum unless specifically referring to those products.
To lubricate with oil.
"He spent twenty minutes carefully oiling the squeaky hinge on his front door until it swung smoothly again."
In plain English: To oil something means to put liquid oil on it so that it moves smoothly without getting stuck.
"The mechanic needs to oil the engine before the car is ready to drive."
Usage: As a verb, oil means to apply oil to something in order to reduce friction or prevent sticking. Use it when describing the act of lubricating machinery, hinges, or surfaces to ensure they move smoothly.
The word "oil" comes from the Latin oleum, which originally meant "olive oil." It entered Middle English through Anglo-Norman, eventually replacing an earlier Germanic term for the same substance.