What does lubric mean?
Lubric is a rare English word with two closely related archaic senses. As a verb, it means to make something smooth or slippery, typically by applying oil or another lubricant. As an adjective, it describes a surface that is slippery, oily, or otherwise easy to move over. The wording may appear dated or literary rather than in ordinary modern English, where lubricate and the related nouns lubricant and lubrication are normally used. Lubric is notable because it preserves a direct English adaptation of Latin lubricus, “slippery or oily,” and also reflects the long-standing tendency of English to reuse Latin stems for both verbs and adjectives. Knowing the rare word clarifies the relationship among those familiar derivatives, but its old-fashioned status makes it unsuitable for unmarked contemporary use.
To make something smooth or slippery, especially by applying oil or another lubricant.
"The mechanic lubriced the hinges before adjusting the door."
Archaic; modern English normally uses lubricate.
Slippery or oily, especially so as to be difficult to grip or move over.
"The icy pavement was lubric and dangerous."
Archaic and uncommon in contemporary prose.
Lubric preserves the direct touch of Latin lubricus: “slippery, oily”—two qualities in one rare English word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lubric come from?
English lubric derives from Latin lubricus, meaning “slippery” or “oily.” The same Latin foundation also appears in forms related to lubricare, “to make smooth or slippery,” including lubricate, lubricant, lubrication, and lubricator. English developed both a verb and an adjective from this root, but the short forms are now chiefly encountered in older or literary writing.
Related word forms
How lubric is actually used
Lubric is chiefly archaic or literary. In ordinary modern English, writers generally use lubricate for the verb and lubricant or lubrication for the related nouns.