oiling
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present participleof oil.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
oilnounany of a large class of substances typically unctuous, viscous, combustible, liquid at ordinary temperatures, and soluble in ether or alcohol but not in water: used for anointing, perfuming, lubricating, illuminating, heating, etc.
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.
I learned that oiling the blade prevents humidity from tarnishing the steel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025
She did menial tasks like washing and oiling their hair and kept them close to her, emotionally and physically.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2024
LeBron James oiling the offense like a 48-oz. can of WD-40.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2023
If commoners' living standards slip—not relative to the elites, but relative to what they had before—they accept the overtures of the counter-elites and start oiling the axles of their tumbrels.
From Salon ● Jan. 9, 2023
“We stopped at a red light. I’m oiling my catcher’s mitt to avoid looking into our fathers’ eyes, their smiles.
From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin
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