lubricate

verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt 

lubricated; lubricating

transitive verb

1

: to make smooth or slippery

2

: to apply a lubricant to

intransitive verb

: to act as a lubricant

lubrication

ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

lubricative

ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tiv 

adjective

lubricator

ˈlü-brə-ˌkā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• grease
• oil
• slick
• wax

Examples of lubricate in a Sentence

it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance

Recent Examples on the Web

And lubricants would simply evaporate before lubricating. —New Atlas, 29 May 2025

The zipper pull should glide easily once lubricated. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025

In areas where winter roads are salted, a yearly service to clean and lubricate brake calipers is recommended. —Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025

This moisture can help lubricate dry, irritated nasal passages. —Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre "to make slippery," derivative of lūbricus "slippery, hard to hold, liable to lead to false steps, hazardous" — more at sleeve

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for lubricate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

lubricate

verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt 

lubricated; lubricating

1

: to make smooth or slippery

2

: to apply a lubricant to

lubricate a car

3

: to act as a lubricant

lubrication

ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

lubricator

ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

lubricate

transitive verb

lu·​bri·​cate ˈlü-bri-ˌkāt 

lubricated; lubricating

: to make smooth, slippery, or oily in motion, action, or appearance

lubricate the eye

lubricate the skin

lubrication

ˌlü-brə-ˈkā-shən 

noun