oil

oil1 [ ɔıl ] noun ***

▸ 1 liquid for fuel

▸ 2 used in engines

▸ 3 used in cooking

▸ 4 type of paint

▸ 5 for your skin

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) uncount a thick dark smooth liquid from under the ground, used for making gas and other fuels:

The Middle Eastern countries produce most of the world's oil.

We need to do more to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Heat can be provided by oil, gas, or electricity.

crude oil (=oil in its natural state): A large tanker can carry several million tons of crude oil.

a ) only before noun relating to this liquid:

Oil prices will probably rise again next year.

an oil company

China has large coal and oil reserves.

2. ) count or uncount a thick smooth liquid used in an engine, so it will work smoothly:

Change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles.

3. ) count or uncount a thick smooth liquid used in cooking and preparing food, and in medicines:

Cook the chicken in some oil.

vegetable/olive/sunflower oil

peanut/sesame/walnut oil

cod liver oil

4. ) count or uncount usually plural a type of paint made from oil:

in oils: I prefer to work in oils.

a ) count a painting made with this type of paint:

We saw an exhibit of oils and watercolors by local artists.

5. ) count or uncount a thick clear liquid that you use for protecting your skin or making it soft:

bath/suntan oil

baby oil

a ) an ESSENTIAL OIL:

aromatherapy oils

lavender oil

be (like) oil and water

if two people or things are like oil and water, they are very different and are not good together

oil

oil 2 [ ɔıl ] verb transitive

to put oil on something, for example to make it move easily, or so that things will not stick to it:

He's outside oiling his bike.

Place the cookies on a lightly oiled tray and bake them for 15 minutes.