- 1[uncountable] a thick liquid that is found in rock underground synonym petroleum drilling for oil
- 2[uncountable] a form of petroleum that is used as fuel and to make parts of machines move smoothly engine oil an oil burner/lamp Put some oil in the car.
- 3[uncountable, countable] a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants or animals and is used in cooking olive oil vegetable oils
- 4[uncountable, countable] a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants, minerals, etc. and is used on the skin or hair lavender bath oil baby oil see essential oil
- 5[uncountable] oils [plural] colored paint containing oil used by artists a painting done in oils landscapes in oil see oil paint Topic CollocationsFine Artscreating art
- make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/an engraving/an etching/a print
- do an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketch
- create a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculptures
- produce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of prints
- paint a picture/a landscape/a portrait/a mural/in oils/in watercolors/on canvas
- draw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in ink
- sketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shape/an outline
- carve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of wood
- sculpt a (portrait) bust/a statue/an abstract figure
- etch a line/pattern/design/name into the glass
- mix colors/pigments/paints
- add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/color/pigment
- use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint
- work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolors/a wide variety of media
- paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior
- have/express/depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme
- create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective
- paint dark/rich/flesh tones
- use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colors/a limited palette/simple geometric forms
- develop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract style
- commission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of somebody/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint something
- frame a painting/a portrait/a piece/an artwork
- hang art/a picture/a painting/a piece/an artwork
- display/exhibit modern art/somebody's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piece
- be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum
- install/place a sculpture in/at/on something
- erect/unveil/dedicate a bronze/marble statue
- hold/host/mount/open/curate/see an exhibition/exhibit
- be/go on exhibit
- feature/promote/showcase contemporary works/a conceptual artist
- collect African art/modern American paintings/Japanese prints
- restore/preserve great works of art/a fresco
- 6[countable] = oil painting Among the more important Turner oils was “Venus and Adonis.” see castor oil, cod liver oil, linseed oil, oily Idioms
to study or work until late at night
Check pronunciation: oil