oil
oil — noun
1. the dark liquid pumped out of the ground, which can be processed into petrol, di
the dark liquid pumped out of the ground, which can be processed into petrol, diesel, and other fuels.
Saudi Arabia exports millions of barrels of oil every day.
barrels of oil — typical unit
Drilling for oil in the North Sea began in the 1970s.
drill for oil — common collocation
When the price of oil rises, fuel at the pump quickly gets more expensive.
A leaking tanker spilled thousands of tonnes of oil into the bay.
Norway grew rich after large amounts of oil were discovered offshore.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the raw substance that comes out of the earth (often called 'crude' or 'petroleum'); sense 2 names the refined product used as fuel or lubricant. News and business contexts almost always mean this sense when they say 'the price of oil'.
常見錯誤
2. a smooth liquid made from petroleum that is burned to heat homes or used inside
a smooth liquid made from petroleum that is burned to heat homes or used inside engines so that moving parts slide against each other without sticking.
Mum checks the oil in her car every Sunday morning.
check the oil — routine maintenance
The mechanic told Daniel his engine was almost out of oil.
out of oil — quantity expression
Many old houses in Maine are still heated by oil during winter.
A small can of oil will keep the bicycle chain running smoothly.
The factory uses thick oil to stop the metal gears from wearing down.
用法筆記
Frequently appears with vehicle and machine vocabulary (engine, gears, chain, motor). When the context is a car or motorbike, 'oil' on its own usually means motor oil, not crude petroleum.
常見錯誤
3. a smooth fatty liquid pressed from plants or fish that you put in a pan or on fo
a smooth fatty liquid pressed from plants or fish that you put in a pan or on food when cooking.
Pour two spoonfuls of oil into the hot pan before adding the garlic.
imperative recipe pattern
Grandma always uses olive oil instead of butter in her salads.
olive oil — common type
Mediterranean cooking uses many different oils, from sunflower to walnut.
Ling fried the chicken in a thin layer of oil until it turned golden.
Add a little oil to the noodles so they do not stick together.
- cooking oil
the everyday compound term used at the supermarket and in recipes.
- fat
broader category that also covers solid fats like butter and lard.
用法筆記
Both countable (when comparing different kinds: 'olive, sesame, and other oils') and uncountable (when measuring an amount: 'add some oil'). Common types are usually named with the plant: olive oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil.
常見錯誤
4. a soft, slightly greasy liquid that you rub on your body to make your skin feel
a soft, slightly greasy liquid that you rub on your body to make your skin feel softer or your hair look shiny.
After her bath, Aisha massaged a few drops of coconut oil into her hair.
massage oil into hair
The spa shelf was lined with bottles of lavender and rose oils.
countable plural for varieties
Nadia uses baby oil to remove her makeup at night.
Marcus rubbed sun oil onto his shoulders before walking down to the beach.
A small amount of oil on the scalp can help dry hair feel less itchy.
用法筆記
Often forms compounds that name the source or purpose: baby oil, bath oil, massage oil, essential oil. Plural 'oils' is common in shops or spas where several scented varieties are listed together.
常見錯誤
5. a thick, slow-drying paint that artists apply with brushes onto canvas, made by
a thick, slow-drying paint that artists apply with brushes onto canvas, made by mixing colour powder with linseed or other oils.
Vermeer worked almost entirely in oils throughout his career.
in oils — fixed expression for the medium
My art teacher taught us how to mix oils on a wooden palette.
Sofia prefers oils to watercolours because the colours stay bright for years.
The student bought a small set of oils and three sable brushes.
Working with oils takes patience because each layer needs days to dry.
- oil paint
the everyday term; means the same thing but is grammatically singular.
- oil colour
more technical, used by art-supply shops and instructors.
- watercolour
the contrasting water-based medium that dries quickly and stays transparent.
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('oils') when referring to the medium itself, and singular when used as a modifier ('oil paint', 'oil painting'). The phrase 'in oils' is the standard way to describe an artist's chosen medium.
常見錯誤
6. a finished picture that an artist has made using oil paints, usually hung on a w
a finished picture that an artist has made using oil paints, usually hung on a wall.
An enormous oil of the founder hangs in the school's main hall.
an oil — countable singular
The gallery sells oils, prints, and sketches by local artists.
oils contrasted with prints and sketches
Grandfather left Maria a small oil of the harbour at sunset.
Several oils by Turner were stolen from the museum last week.
Mr Patel's living room is full of oils he bought during his travels.
- oil painting
the everyday equivalent; safer for learners than the bare noun.
- canvas
focuses on the physical support but is often used to mean the painting itself.
用法筆記
Always countable in this sense, and usually appears with 'of' (an oil of the harbour) or 'by' (oils by Turner). Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 is the paint itself; this sense is the finished artwork.
常見錯誤
oil — verb
1. to put a small amount of oil on a tool, machine, or surface so that the parts mo
to put a small amount of oil on a tool, machine, or surface so that the parts move smoothly or do not rust.
Granddad oiled the garden gate so it would stop squeaking at night.
oil + machine/object for smooth movement
Remember to oil your bicycle chain before every long ride.
imperative pattern
The carpenter oiled the wooden table to protect it from water marks.
Sewing machines work best when they are oiled once a month.
Mei oiled the cake tin lightly before pouring in the batter.
文法句型
oil + object
用法筆記
Object is usually a tool or moving part (chain, hinge, lock, machine) or a cooking surface (pan, tin). Often used in the passive when describing routine maintenance: 'the gears need to be oiled'.