oil

I UK [ɔɪl] / US noun
Word forms "oil":
singular oil plural oils
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1)

a) [uncountable] a thick dark smooth liquid from under the ground, used for making petrol 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.

North Sea oil

crude oil (= oil in its natural state):

A large tanker can carry several million tons of crude oil.

b) [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) [countable/uncountable] a thick smooth liquid used in an engine, so it will work smoothly

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

3) [countable/uncountable] 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)

a) [countable/uncountable] a thick clear liquid that you use for protecting your skin or for making it soft

massage/bath/suntan oil

baby oil

b) an essential oil

aromatherapy oils

lavender oil

5)

a) [countable/uncountable, usually plural] a type of paint that contains oil

in oils:

I prefer to work in oils.

b) [countable] a painting made with paint that contains oil

We saw an exhibition of oils and watercolours by local artists.

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

II UK [ɔɪl] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "oil":
present tense I/you/we/they oil he/she/it oils present participle oiling past tense oiled past participle oiled

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 biscuits on a lightly oiled tray and bake them for 15 minutes.