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

  • Sandell and Hamilton went round to Aerial Cove on the 25th to collect shells and to search for the missing lubricating oil.

    The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
  • The slides terminate in two lubricating cups designed for oiling the surfaces submitted to friction.

  • When a current is passed from a metal contact through certain chemical salts, a lubricating effect was noticeable.

  • Light oils, such as kerosene and light lubricating oils seventy to eighty per cent.

    Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred Pag
  • The lubricating system of the Thomas-Morse aviation engines, which is shown at Fig. 76, is typical of current practice.

    Aviation Engines | Victor Wilfred Pag

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