grease

Any oily or fatty material, especially when it forms a dirty layer on something.

• There is grease on your shirt.
• Soap removed the grease from his hands.
• Her hair was heavy with grease.

Similar words: oil, fat

Common phrases: grease stains, covered in grease, remove grease

Soft or melted animal fat, often left after cooking meat.

• Drain the grease from the pan.
• She fried the potatoes in bacon grease.
• The hot grease burned his hand.

Similar words: fat, dripping

Common phrases: bacon grease, hot grease, cooking grease

A thick oily material that helps machine parts move smoothly.

• The bearings need more grease.
• The mechanic applied grease to the axle.
• This grease protects moving parts from wear.

Similar words: lubricant

Common phrases: bearing grease, apply grease, grease gun

To put oil or fat on something to help it move smoothly or prevent sticking.

• Grease the pan before adding the mixture.
• He greased the wheels to stop them squeaking.
• Have you greased the baking tray?

Similar words: lubricate, oil

Common phrases: grease a pan, grease the bearings, lightly grease something

To secretly give someone money so they will help you, usually dishonestly.

• He tried to grease the official’s palm.
• They greased the inspector to get approval.
• She refused to grease anyone’s palm for a permit.

Similar words: bribe

Common phrases: grease someone’s palm, grease an official

To land an aircraft so smoothly that the wheels barely seem to touch the ground.

• The pilot greased the landing.
• I finally greased a landing during my training flight.
• She greased the landing despite a strong crosswind.

Common phrases: grease the landing, grease a landing