oil
gb/ˈɔɪl/ us/ˈɔɪl/
A1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Petroleum-based fuel or lubricant
A thick liquid from under the ground that is used for fuel or to make products.
Usage pattern:
[something] contains oil
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'oil' (petroleum) with 'oil' used in cooking; context determines meaning.
Synonyms
petroleum (More formal and technical term referring to crude oil.)
Antonyms
water (Opposite in physical properties, as water does not mix with oil.)
Collocations
crude oil
|oil spill
|oil industry
|oil prices
|oil tanker
Themes
energy
|industry
|transport
|technology
|finance
Examples
- The country’s economy depends heavily on oil exports.
- Crude oil prices have risen sharply this year.
- The mechanic checked the oil in the engine.
- An oil spill damaged the coastline.
- They are drilling for oil in the desert.
Learner examples
- The car needs more oil.
- Oil is used to make fuel.
- Many countries sell oil to other countries.
- There was an oil spill in the sea.
Noun
A1
entity
2
Cooking fat from plants or animals
A liquid fat from plants or animals used to cook food.
Usage pattern:
fry [something] in oil
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'oil' for cooking with petroleum; use cooking context to clarify.
Synonyms
cooking oil (Specifically refers to oils intended for food preparation.)
Antonyms
butter (A solid fat often used instead of oil in cooking.)
Collocations
olive oil
|cooking oil
|vegetable oil
|oil dressing
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- She poured olive oil into the pan.
- Vegetable oil is healthier for frying than some animal fats.
- The salad was dressed with sesame oil.
- Heat the oil before adding the onions.
- We ran out of cooking oil.
Learner examples
- I put oil in the pan.
- We use olive oil for salad.
- Please buy some cooking oil.
- She fried the fish in oil.
Verb
B1
action
3
To apply oil for lubrication or protection
To put oil on something so it moves easily or does not rust.
Usage pattern:
oil [something]
Synonyms
lubricate (More technical term often used in engineering contexts.)
Antonyms
dry out (To lose lubrication and become dry.)
Collocations
oil the hinges
|oil machinery
|oil tools
Themes
maintenance
|mechanics
|daily_life
|work
Examples
- You should oil the door hinges to stop them squeaking.
- The mechanic oiled the engine parts before reassembly.
- Remember to oil your bike chain regularly.
- He oiled the gears to ensure smooth operation.
Learner examples
- I need to oil my bike chain.
- He oiled the door so it opened quietly.
- We must oil the machine every week.
- Please oil the hinges.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
General liquid fat or similar substance
A thick liquid from plants, animals, or minerals that does not mix with water.
Synonyms
lubricant (When referring to oils used for reducing friction.)
Antonyms
aqueous solution (Water-based liquid that contrasts chemically with oils.)
Collocations
essential oil
|mineral oil
|fish oil
Themes
science
|chemistry
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Lavender essential oil is popular in aromatherapy.
- Mineral oil is often used in cosmetics.
- Fish oil supplements are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Learner examples
- I like the smell of this flower oil.
- Mineral oil can be used on wood.
- Fish oil is good for health.
Grammar
Dictionary form
oil
IPA
GB/ˈɔɪl/
US/ˈɔɪl/
Syllables & stress
oil (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (oil)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: oil
- Plural: oils
Verb
- Base: oil
- 3rd Person Singular: oils
- Present Participle: oiling
- Past: oiled
Word family
Forms
oils
noun
oiling
verb
oiled
verb
Core family
oily
adjective B1
Related words
oiliness
noun
oiler
noun
Expressions
oil the wheels
1/ˈɔɪl ðə wˈilz/
idiom
Make something run more smoothly
To make something easier to do by helping or removing problems.
Examples
- Good communication will help to oil the wheels of any project.
- Extra funding could really oil the wheels of our research program.
pour oil on troubled waters
1/pˈɔɹ ˈɔɪl ˈɔn tɹˈʌbəld wˈɔtɚz/
idiom
Calm a tense situation
To try to make people stop arguing or feeling angry.
Examples
- She tried to pour oil on troubled waters by changing the subject.
- His kind words poured oil on troubled waters during the meeting.
strike oil
1/stɹˈaɪk ˈɔɪl/
idiom
Find something valuable unexpectedly
To suddenly find something that makes you rich or successful.
Examples
- They really struck oil with their new app idea.
- The prospector struck oil after months of drilling.
well-oiled machine
1/wˈɛl ˈɔɪld məʃˈin/
idiom
Smoothly running system or group
A group or process that works very well and without problems.
Examples
- The event was organized like a well-oiled machine.
- The event ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to good planning.
- Our team works together like a well-oiled machine.
- Our team is now a well-oiled machine after months of practice.
burn the midnight oil
1/bˈɚn ðə mˈɪdnˌaɪt ˈɔɪl/
idiom
Work late into the night
To work late at night, usually studying or working on something important.
Examples
- She’s been burning the midnight oil preparing for her exams.
- She burned the midnight oil to finish her thesis.
- He had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report.
- We had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
- They've been burning the midnight oil preparing for the big presentation.
- She burned the midnight oil studying for her exams.
burn the midnight oil
2/bˈɚn ðə mˈɪdnˌaɪt ˈɔɪl/
idiom
work or study very late
To work or study until very late at night, especially past midnight.
Examples
- She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her thesis.
- We’ve been burning the midnight oil all week to meet the deadline.