Grease: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word mostly when referring to any thick, oily substance, especially used for lubrication or cooking. It can also have a negative connotation when talking about unhealthy food.

• The mechanic applied grease to the gears.
• The burgers were dripping with grease.

This word refers to a natural oily substance found in animals and some plants. It can refer to body fat or dietary fats and sometimes has a negative health connotation.

• You should limit the amount of saturated fat in your diet.
• The steak was marbled with fat.

This term is generally used for liquid fats that are extracted from plants or animals, and can also be industrial oils used for machines. It's versatile in cooking and frying.

• Olive oil is great for salads.
• The car engine was low on oil.

This is specific to the dairy product made from churning milk or cream. It’s commonly used in cooking, baking, or spreading on bread.

• She spread butter on her toast.
• Butter is crucial for making a flaky pie crust.

Often used informally to refer to lubricating machinery or making things operate smoothly. Can also mean giving someone money or gifts to make them act in a certain way, typically to expedite a process.

• You'll need to grease the wheels to get things moving quickly around here.
• The machine needs some grease to function properly.

Giving money, goods, or other forms of recompense to someone in a position of power to influence their actions illegally or unethically. This term carries a negative connotation.

• He was caught trying to bribe the official to win the contract.
• Offering a bribe is illegal and punishable by law.

Money given to someone to influence their actions or decisions, similar to a bribe. Often implies a secretive and unethical transaction. Also used more neutrally to mean the return or benefit received from an investment or effort.

• The CEO received a hefty payoff to leave the company quietly.
• The payoff from the new marketing strategy was impressive.

A form of bribery where a sum of money is paid to someone in return for facilitating a deal or transaction. Often used to describe illegal payments, especially in business and politics. Has a negative connotation.

• The politician was arrested for accepting kickbacks from construction companies.
• He was involved in a kickback scheme that defrauded the company.

Often used interchangeably with 'grease' to mean the same thick, oily substance. This repetition suggests emphasis on the same concept.

• Remember to grease the door hinges or they will squeak.
• Mechanics always keep some grease on hand for tough jobs.

Commonly used in more formal or technical contexts, especially when talking about reducing friction in machinery or equipment. It's less likely to be used metaphorically.

• You should lubricate the engine parts regularly to ensure smooth operation.
• Doctors recommend using lubricate eyedrops for dry eyes.

Specific to using liquid oil to reduce friction or make something smoother. It can also be used in a cooking context.

• Don't forget to oil the gears every few months.
• She oiled the pan before adding the vegetables.

Often describes a surface that is smooth, wet, or slippery, and not typically used in a mechanical context. It can also have a negative connotation when describing someone as smooth-talking or deceitful.

• The road was slick with rain, making it difficult to drive.
• He was a slick salesman, always ready with a smooth answer.