oil

Pronunciation: /ɔɪl/

Definition of oil

[mass noun]

1a viscous liquid derived from petroleum, especially for use as a fuel or lubricant.
petroleum: 400 birds were coated with oil which spilled out from an opened valve [as modifier]:the oil industry
[with modifier] any of various viscous liquids which are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents and are obtained from animals or plants:potatoes fried in vegetable oil
a liquid preparation used on the hair or skin as a cosmetic:suntan oil
[count noun] Chemistry any of a group of natural esters of glycerol and various fatty acids, which are liquid at room temperature. Compare with fat.

3Australian/NZ informal information or facts:Young had some good oil on the Adelaide races

[with object] (often as adjective oiled)

2supply with oil as fuel:attempts should not be made to oil individual tanks too rapidly

Phrases

oil and water: used to refer to two elements, factors, or people that are incompatible or do not blend together: he believed that women and boats were about as compatible as oil and water
oil the wheels: British help something go smoothly:compliments oil the wheels of life

Middle English: from Old Northern French olie, Old French oile, from Latin oleum '(olive) oil'; compare with olea 'olive'

Definition of oil in the US English dictionary