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Added 7 October 2026

oil

/ɔɪl/ noun

In Latin: oleum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about oil at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Liquid fat.
Petroleum-based liquid used as fuel or lubricant.
Petroleum.
Oil is found in countries such as Saudi Arabia and is transported all over the world.

verb

To lubricate with oil.
To grease with oil for cooking.
To fuel with oil.

Origin

From Middle English oyle, oile (“olive oil”), borrowed from Old French oile, from Latin oleum (“oil, olive oil”), from Ancient Greek ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil”), from ἐλαία (elaía, “olive”). Compare Proto-Slavic *lojь. More at olive. Doublet of oleum. Supplanted Middle English ele (“oil”), from Old English ele (“oil”), also from Latin.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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