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.
2 (often oils) oil paint:a portrait in oils
[count noun] an oil painting:a dark discoloured oil of an elderly cleric
3Australian/NZ informal information or facts:Young had some good oil on the Adelaide races
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Universal
1lubricate, coat, or impregnate with oil:a lightly oiled baking tray
2supply with oil as fuel:attempts should not be made to oil individual tanks too rapidly
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
