VOOZH about

URL: https://www.wordreference.com/definition/lubricate

⇱ lubricate - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

lubricate

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈluːbrɪkeɪt/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈlubrɪˌkeɪt/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(lo̅o̅′bri kāt′)

Inflections of 'lubricate' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
lubricates
v 3rd person singular
lubricating
v pres p
lubricated
v past
lubricated
v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
lu•bri•cate /ˈlubrɪˌkeɪt/USA pronunciation   v. [~ + object], -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 
  1. Mechanical Engineeringto apply an oily or greasy substance to (something) in order to reduce friction; make slippery:lubricated the gears.
  2. to cause to run smoother;
    ease:to lubricate relations between enemies.
  3. Slang Termsto provide with liquor:They lubricated their guests with gin.
lu•bri•ca•tion /ˌlubrɪˈkeɪʃən/USA pronunciation  n. [uncountable]
lu•bri•ca•tor, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
lu•bri•cate  (lo̅o̅′bri kāt′),USA pronunciation v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 
v.t. 
  1. to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).
  2. to make slippery or smooth;
    apply a lubricant to:to lubricate one's hands with a lotion.
  3. to smooth over, as a difficulty or human relationship;
    ease:to lubricate the friction between enemies.
  4. Slang Termsto provide with intoxicating drinks.
  5. Slang Termsto bribe.

v.i. 
  1. to act as a lubricant.
  2. to apply a lubricant to something.
  3. Slang Termsto drink or become drunk.
  • Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre to make slippery. See lubric, -ate1
  • 1615–25
lu′bri•ca′tion, n. 
lu′bri•ca′tion•al, adj. 
lu′bri•ca′tive, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
lubricate /ˈluːbrɪˌkeɪt/ vb
  1. (transitive) to cover or treat with an oily or greasy substance so as to lessen friction
  2. (transitive) to make greasy, slippery, or smooth
  3. (intransitive) to act as a lubricant
Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slipperyˌlubriˈcation n ˈlubriˌcative adj
'lubricate' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!
Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.
Firefox users: use search shortcuts for the fastest search of WordReference.
Copyright © 2026 WordReference.com
Please report any problems.