lubricate

[ loo-bri-keyt ]

/ ˈlu brɪˌkeɪt /

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See synonyms for: lubricate / lubrication / lubricative on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).

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

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

Slang. to provide with intoxicating drinks.

Slang. to bribe.

verb (used without object), lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.

to act as a lubricant.

to apply a lubricant to something.

Slang. to drink or become drunk.

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Origin of lubricate

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, nounlu·bri·ca·tion·al, adjectivelu·bri·ca·tive, adjectivelu·bri·ca·to·ry

[loo-bri-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˈlu brɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

non·lu·bri·cat·ing, adjectiveo·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, nounre·lu·bri·cate, verb (used with object), re·lu·bri·cat·ed, re·lu·bri·cat·ing.re·lu·bri·ca·tion, nounself-lu·bri·cat·ed, adjectiveself-lu·bri·cat·ing, adjectiveself-lu·bri·ca·tion, nounun·lu·bri·cat·ed, adjectiveun·lu·bri·cat·ing, adjectiveun·lu·bri·ca·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.
Scientific American Supplement, Vol. XV., No. 388, June 9, 1883|Various
When a current is passed from a metal contact through certain chemical salts, a lubricating effect was noticeable.
Heroes of the Telegraph|J. Munro
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

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

(tr) to make greasy, slippery, or smooth

(intr) to act as a lubricant

Derived forms of lubricate

lubrication, nounlubricational, adjectivelubricative, adjective

Word Origin for lubricate

C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery

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

lubricate

Origin of lubricate

OTHER WORDS FROM lubricate

Words related to lubricate

How to use lubricate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lubricate

Derived forms of lubricate

Word Origin for lubricate