lubricate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).
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to make slippery or smooth; apply a lubricant to.
to lubricate one's hands with a lotion.
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to smooth over, as a difficulty or human relationship; ease.
to lubricate the friction between enemies.
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Slang. to provide with intoxicating drinks.
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Slang. to bribe.
verb (used without object)
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to act as a lubricant.
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to apply a lubricant to something.
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Slang. to drink or become drunk.
verb
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(tr) to cover or treat with an oily or greasy substance so as to lessen friction
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(tr) to make greasy, slippery, or smooth
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(intr) to act as a lubricant
Other Word Forms
- lubrication noun
- lubricational adjective
- lubricative adjective
- lubricatory adjective
- nonlubricating adjective
- overlubricate verb (used with object)
- overlubrication noun
- relubricate verb (used with object)
- relubrication noun
- self-lubricated adjective
- self-lubricating adjective
- self-lubrication noun
- unlubricated adjective
- unlubricating adjective
- unlubricative adjective
Etymology
Origin of lubricate
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre “to make slippery.” See lubric, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Drilling fluid is a liquid used to cool and lubricate equipment during drilling.
From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026
“They only constrict your blood vessels to decrease the appearance of redness, but they won’t actually lubricate your eyes.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2025
These days, of course, pesky things like WhatsApp rather lubricate the friction of distance of folk being in different places.
From BBC • Mar. 21, 2024
The movie, which Tom Gustafson directed and Cory Krueckeberg wrote, weaves together various Indigo Girls songs from various eras in order to lubricate communication.
From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024
Girls were beginning to bob their hair and boys to lubricate theirs.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
