Oil: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to the same substance as 'oil' above, but in some cases might refer to petroleum or crude oil, especially in industrial or economic contexts.

• The country is rich in oil reserves.
• They are drilling for oil in the North Sea.

Refers to a general substance found in animal and plant tissue. Often used in nutritional and biological contexts.

• Avocados are high in healthy fats.
• Doctors recommend reducing saturated fat intake.

Used for thick, often sticky or oily substance. Commonly refers to oily residue, mechanical lubrication, or cooking byproducts. It can have a negative connotation when referring to dirty substances.

• Wipe off the grease from the frying pan.
• The wheels need to be greased regularly to avoid rust.

Commonly used in cooking and baking. Made from milk, it has a solid consistency at room temperature.

• Spread some butter on your toast.
• Melt the butter in a pan before adding the garlic.

General term used for various types of oils including cooking oil, motor oil, and other oils. Can be used in everyday conversation.

• I need to buy some olive oil for the salad.
• Check the oil level in the car.

Official and scientific term for oil. Often used in technical, legal, and regulatory contexts.

• Petroleum is a major source of energy in the modern world.
• The petroleum industry is a significant contributor to the global economy.

Technical term used in industry and finance to refer to unrefined petroleum. Commonly used in business, environmental discussions, and industry reports.

• The price of crude oil has risen sharply this year.
• Crude oil is transported to refineries for processing.

Informal, often used in media or casual conversations to highlight the high value and economic importance of oil.

• The discovery of new reserves has turned this small town into a hub of black gold.

Used broadly to describe any viscous liquid that is not water and is used to fuel vehicles, heat homes, cook, or for mechanical lubrication.

• She uses olive oil to cook vegetables.
• The car needs an oil change every 5,000 miles.

More technical term used to describe the action of applying a substance (like oil or grease) to minimize friction in machinery or moving parts.

• Remember to lubricate the bike chain before riding.
• The machine won't work properly unless you regularly lubricate it.

Often refers to a thick, oily substance applied to machinery to reduce friction or for cooking purposes.

• The mechanic applied grease to the gears.
• There was a lot of grease left on the stove after frying bacon.

Usually refers to a smooth, slippery surface created by a layer of oil or water. It can also have a negative connotation when describing a person who is perceived as too smooth or insincere.

• The road was slick after the rain.
• Watch out for the oil slick on the floor.