lubricate

[ loo-bri-keyt ]
See synonyms for: lubricatelubricationlubricative on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.
  1. to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).

  2. to make slippery or smooth; apply a lubricant to: to lubricate one's hands with a lotion.

  1. to smooth over, as a difficulty or human relationship; ease: to lubricate the friction between enemies.

  2. Slang. to provide with intoxicating drinks.

  3. Slang. to bribe.

verb (used without object),lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.
  1. to act as a lubricant.

  2. to apply a lubricant to something.

  1. Slang. to drink or become drunk.

Origin of lubricate

1
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre “to make slippery.” See lubric, -ate1

Other words from lubricate

  • lu·bri·ca·tion, noun
  • lu·bri·ca·tion·al, adjective
  • lu·bri·ca·tive, adjective
  • lu·bri·ca·to·ry [loo-bri-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˈlu brɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
  • non·lu·bri·cat·ing, adjective
  • o·ver·lu·bri·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·lu·bri·cat·ed, o·ver·lu·bri·cat·ing.
  • o·ver·lu·bri·ca·tion, noun
  • re·lu·bri·cate, verb (used with object), re·lu·bri·cat·ed, re·lu·bri·cat·ing.
  • re·lu·bri·ca·tion, noun
  • self-lu·bri·cat·ed, adjective
  • self-lu·bri·cat·ing, adjective
  • self-lu·bri·ca·tion, noun
  • un·lu·bri·cat·ed, adjective
  • un·lu·bri·cat·ing, adjective
  • un·lu·bri·ca·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lubricate in a sentence

  • That was the entirety of his praise for the man he previously called a “perfectly lubricated weathervane.”

  • He was aware of the muscles pulling and relaxing as the kelit ran, and the long bones sliding in their lubricated joints.

    Insidekick | Jesse Franklin Bone
  • This should be oiled occasionally in its whole length, so that each joint is properly lubricated.

  • The breaker lever should be lubricated every 1,000 miles with a drop of light oil, applied with a tooth-pick.

    Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred Pag
  • The cylinder walls and wrist pins are lubricated by oil spray thrown from the lower end of connecting rod bearings.

    Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred Pag
  • The parts of the motor that are lubricated by an independent feed line in this manner may vary with different motors.

    The Gasoline Motor | Harold Whiting Slauson

British Dictionary definitions for lubricate

lubricate

/ (ˈluːbrɪˌkeɪt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to cover or treat with an oily or greasy substance so as to lessen friction

  2. (tr) to make greasy, slippery, or smooth

  1. (intr) to act as a lubricant

Origin of lubricate

1
C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery

Derived forms of lubricate

  • lubrication, noun
  • lubricational, adjective
  • lubricative, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012