grease

noun

UK/ɡriːs/
US/ɡriːs/

Definitions of grease noun

  1. Uncountable

    Animal or vegetable fat that becomes soft after melting, or more generally, any thick, oil-like substance.

    • A thick layer of grease coated the plates.

    • You should apply some grease to the ball bearings.

    • The kitchen floor was slick with grease.

verb

UK/ɡriːs/
US/ɡriːs/

Definitions of grease verb

  1. Transitive

    To apply fat or oil to something.

    • Make sure to grease the baking pan before pouring in the cake batter.

    • Ensure you grease the mechanical parts to keep them running smoothly.

    • She greased the baking sheet evenly with butter.

Idioms

  • like greased lightning

    Extremely fast; moving with great speed.

    He shot off like greased lightning when he heard the starting gun.

  • grease someone's palm

    To secretly give someone money, typically to persuade them to do something for you, often something dishonest or unethical.

    It is said that they had to grease a few palms to ensure the contract was signed smoothly.