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# lubricate

verb (lubricate, lubricates, lubricated, lubricating)

«lubricate» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To put oil, grease or another slippery stuff on parts of a machine so they move smoothly and do not rub or wear out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#m1)
2. (science, body) To keep a part of the body moist and slippery so it moves easily, as tears lubricate the eye. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#m2)
3. (informal) To make something go more smoothly, like a talk or a deal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science (forces) lubricating reduces friction: oil on a bike chain makes it easier to pedal. In everyday life: oiling a squeaky door hinge. In the body, joints are lubricated by fluid and eyes by tears. Phrases: «lubricate the chain», «well lubricated», «to lubricate the conversation» (informal). The noun is «lubricant», the action is «lubrication».

### Examples

- Dad lubricated my bike chain with oil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x1)
- Oil lubricates the engine so the parts do not grind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x2)
- Tears lubricate your eyes when you blink. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x3)
- The squeaky gate stopped squeaking after we lubricated the hinges. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x4)
- Our joints are lubricated by a special fluid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x5)
- In the friction experiment, we lubricated the ramp with soapy water and the block slid faster. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x6)
- A little chat about football helped to lubricate the meeting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x7)
- Never lubricate brakes, or they will not grip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb: lubricated, lubricating. Related words: lubricant (the stuff), lubrication (the act). Science link: less friction, smoother movement, less heat and wear. Trap: lubricating brakes is dangerous – brakes need friction. Not a maths word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «lubricate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lubricate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lubricate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lubricate.html) on Mova free.