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
Explanation
When you lubricate something, you make it a little bit greasy so it can easily move or slide. You might need to lubricate a rusted bolt in order to unscrew it, for example. Mechanics who work on cars need to lubricate engine parts all the time, to remove old ones and attach new ones. Oil is commonly used to lubricate metal surfaces so they don't stick against each other. All different kinds of machines and engines — from jumbo jets to sewing machines — need to be lubricated in order to work properly. The Latin root word is lubricatus, "to make slippery or smooth," from lubricus, or "slippery."
Vocabulary lists containing lubricate
The Cay
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 6
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Elephant Run
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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
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
"These initial results demonstrate the immense potential of AI for developing more accurate and cheaper methods for estimating emissions from agriculture. This may lubricate carbon markets and incentivize adoption of climate-smart practices."
From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024
They lubricate the telescopes and operate them on public viewing nights.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023
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.
