: smoothly functioning
a well-oiled political machine

Examples of well-oiled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The Hogs did get out to a fast start, looking well-oiled for a first outing inside Walker Pavilion on a dreary day outside in Northwest Arkansas. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of well-oiled was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near well-oiled

Cite this Entry

“Well-oiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-oiled. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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