lubricate

[ loo-bri-keyt ]

/ ˈlu brɪˌkeɪt /

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.

QUIZZES

Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz

Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.

Question 1 of 7

schlep

to say or do hesitantly or awkwardly

to fold or wind around something

to carry; lug

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Origin of lubricate

1615–25; < 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

Words nearby lubricate

lubitsch, lublin, lubra, lubric, lubricant, lubricate, lubricator, lubricious, lubricity, lubricous, lubritorium

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for lubricating

Close behind Charles came Dr. Mangan's "little girl," who had been confided with a lubricating half-crown, to his care.
Mount Music|E. Oe. Somerville and Martin Ross
Detergent, lubricating, and discutient; in itch and other skin diseases, &c.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
The soap and soda in this solution improve the lubricating quality and also prevent the surfaces from rusting.
Turning and Boring|Franklin D. Jones
The oldest son, William Morgan, now thirty-one years old, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of lubricating oils.
Cleveland Past and Present|Maurice Joblin

The oil mingles with the steam and passes into the steam chest, and thence into the cylinder, lubricating the valve and piston.
Farm Engines and How to Run Them|James H. Stephenson

British Dictionary definitions for lubricating

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

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

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

QUIZZES

Origin of lubricate

OTHER WORDS FROM lubricate

Words nearby lubricate

Words related to lubricating

Example sentences from the Web for lubricating

British Dictionary definitions for lubricating

verb

Derived forms of lubricate

Word Origin for lubricate