What does grease mean?
Grease is a thick, oily material used for lubrication, cooking, or coating food. As a noun, it can refer to animal fat, vegetable oil, a lubricating compound, or an oily residue left on a surface. In the kitchen it may mean the fat used to fry or cook food, while around machinery it describes a substance applied to moving parts to reduce friction and wear. The verb “grease” follows those uses: food can be greased or cooked in grease, and hinges, pans, or other objects can be coated with it. Figuratively, grease means influence, money, or smooth dealing used to make progress easier; “grease the wheels” is a familiar example of this sense, while “grease the skids” means to hinder progress. The word is neutral in literal contexts but often mildly disapproving when it suggests bribery, manipulation, or excessive reliance on charm. Grease remains a useful general word where “lubricant” may sound technical and “fat” may suggest food, body fat, or a person’s build.
A thick, semisolid oily substance, especially animal fat, cooking fat, or lubricant; also an oily coating or residue. Figuratively, it means influence or money used to make dealings easier.
"There was a layer of grease on the stovetop."
Grease is normally uncountable when referring to a substance, although “greases” is used for distinct types in technical or commercial contexts.
To coat or lubricate with grease, or to cook food in grease. Figuratively, it means to facilitate a process or use improper influence to obtain cooperation.
"He greased the hinges before the door began to squeak."
The literal verb is transitive and common in cooking and maintenance. Figurative use can carry a negative connotation of bribery or manipulation.
The mass noun is normally singular and uncountable. The plural “greases” is used for distinct types or formulations of grease, especially in technical or commercial contexts.
"The factory stocks three special greases for its machinery."
Grease descends from Latin crassus, meaning “thick, fat,” and still does what its ancestor suggests: makes things slide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grease come from?
The English word descends from Middle English forms such as gres, ultimately from Old English grǣsse, which referred to animal fat or oily matter. Old English grǣsse was borrowed from Latin crassus, meaning “thick, fat, or greasy.” The same Latin root underlies English cognates such as crass and crassitude, while French retains the related forms gras and grasse.
Related word forms
How grease is actually used
Literal uses of grease are generally neutral, although the figurative noun and verb can suggest improper influence, bribery, or manipulation. The verb is common in culinary and mechanical contexts.
Easily confused with grease
Grease is an oily substance, whereas a crease is a fold or indentation in a material.