oil
Definitions
A smooth, thick liquid that does not mix with water, used for cooking, fuel, or lubrication.
油（不与水混合的顺滑黏稠液体，用于烹饪、燃料或润滑）。
Petroleum; crude oil as an energy resource.
石油（作为能源的原油）。
To put oil on or into something, especially to make it run smoothly.
给……加油，上油，润滑。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedoil is the everyday descendant of Latin oleum (oil), via Old French oile. The Latin root meant olive oil above all; in English it widened to cover any oily liquid — cooking oil, engine oil, and the crude oil pumped from the ground.
Root ole still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
Mostly uncountable: 'add some oil,' not 'an oil.' But it becomes countable when you mean types or barrels: 'essential oils,' 'cooking oils.' In energy and business contexts, 'oil' alone usually means petroleum/crude oil (oil prices, oil rig, the oil industry).
Example Sentences
- 1.
Heat a little olive oil in the pan before adding the garlic.
- 2.
Oil prices rose sharply after the supply was cut.
- 3.
Don't forget to check the oil level in the engine.
- 4.
He oiled the squeaky hinge so the door would close quietly.