drying oil

noun

1. any of a group of oily, organic liquids occurring naturally, as linseed, soybean, or dehydrated castor oil, or synthesized, that when applied as a thin coating absorb atmospheric oxygen, forming a tough, elastic layer.

drying oil

noun

1. one of a number of animal or vegetable oils, such as linseed oil, that harden by oxidation on exposure to air: used as a base for some paints and varnishes

Word History and Origins

Origin of drying oil¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Like all bituminous earths, it needs the strongest drying oil.

From Project Gutenberg

Prussian blue (preferably Turnbulls), ground with pale, quick-drying oil.

From Project Gutenberg

The surface is prepared by a coating of white lead in drying oil.

From Project Gutenberg

An oil is expressed from its kernel which is known as nut-oil, and is much used by painters as a drying oil.

From Project Gutenberg

Drying oil was well known to the ancients, that is before the Christian era.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Drying Oil

What is drying oil?

Drying oil is a kind of oil that hardens when exposed to air and forms a tough, elastic layer on the surface that it’s applied to.

Drying oils come from both natural and artificial sources. Naturally derived drying oils include linseed oil, soybean oil, dehydrated castor oil, and tung oil, among others.

Drying oils were traditionally used as a base for paints and varnishes, but they have other applications. Tung oil, for example, is used as a finishing oil in woodworking to give wood a water-resistant finish.

Example: I prefer to finish my pieces with a drying oil such as tung oil.

Where does drying oil come from?

The term drying oil has been used since at least the 1860s. The word drying in the term means “designed to become or capable of becoming dry and hard on exposure to air.”

The quality that makes drying oils particularly useful is that they harden when they’re exposed to air through the process of oxidation. This can create a glossy, water-resistant finish when applied to surfaces like wood. Or it can create desirable qualities for products like paint and varnish when used as a base, though this use has become less common due to the introduction of other substances used for this purpose.

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with drying oil? 

• drying
• oil

What are some words that often get used in discussing drying oil?

• linseed oil
• soybean oil
• castor oil
• tung oil
• varnish
• paint
• harden
• water-resistant
• wood
• finish

How is drying oil used in real life?

There are different kinds of drying oils with different applications.

Some interesting mediums in our Oil line, one of which is Sunflower Oil. An alternative drying oil made by compressing sunflower seeds. It is very clear in colour, similar to saffloweroil but lighter. An ideal oil medium to use with light colours such as whites and yellows. pic.twitter.com/mKv4fsDqqk

— Tri-Art Mfg. inc (@TriArtMfg) April 9, 2019

Originally, the word "varnish" meant a mixture of natural resin and drying oil. Today's oil varnishes usually contain synthetic resin, but like their ancestors, they're durable, beautiful and easy to apply. Learn more about the basics of oil varnish here! https://t.co/N0FqMsMuy8

— Rockler Woodworking (@Rockler) November 17, 2020

Recently I have found that poppy oil dries faster than linseed (I switched to poppy because it yellows the least over time out of the drying oils) and this works very well for me.

Switching to lead white instead of titanium has also helped speed up drying, I’m sure.

— muninandhugin, 王八军 (@munin_and_hugin) December 22, 2020

 

 

Try using drying oil!

Which of the following oils is an example of a drying oil?

A. linseed oil
B. soybean oil
C. tung oil
D. all of the above