- present participle of oil.
oiling
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I learned that oiling the blade prevents humidity from tarnishing the steel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025
The high concentration of pine forest in North Gyeongsang province, where the fires are burning, is also "oiling" the blaze, said a forest disaster expert.
From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2025
LeBron James oiling the offense like a 48-oz. can of WD-40.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2023
If commoners' living standards slip—not relative to the elites, but relative to what they had before—they accept the overtures of the counter-elites and start oiling the axles of their tumbrels.
From Salon ● Jan. 9, 2023
If Comrade Pillai was outside his house oiling himself when Estha walked past, he made it a point to greet him.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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