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

This is cooking that feeds the soul and lubricates the joints, and makes a nice long train nap sound good indeed. —Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025

Deep injection wells also lubricate faults in the Earth, sometimes causing earthquakes bad enough to crack home walls and foundations. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025

Chondroitin sulfate lubricates the eye to keep the cornea moist and clear during surgery.6 Some eye drops or contact solutions may contain chondroitin sulfate to reduce corneal swelling and irritation.7 More research is needed on chondroitin sulfate's effects on eye health. —Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025

Replacing that lubricating oil more often than the normal maintenance schedule suggests may help your differentials last longer and work more efficiently. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 2 Mar. 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