ogre /oʊ gə r / (ogres ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an ogre , you are saying in a humorous way that they are very frightening. □ Bank managers–like tax inspectors–do not really like being thought of as ogres.
oh ◆◆◇ /oʊ /
1 CONVENTION You use oh to introduce a response or a comment on something that has just been said. [SPOKEN ] □ 'Had you seen the car before?'—'Oh yes, it was always in the drive.' □ 'You don't understand!'—'Oh, I think I do, Grace.'
2 EXCLAM You use oh to express a feeling such as surprise, pain, annoyance, or happiness. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ 'Oh!' Kenny blinked. 'Has everyone gone?' □ Oh, I'm so glad you're here.
3 CONVENTION You use oh when you are hesitating while speaking, for example because you are trying to estimate something, or because you are searching for the right word. [SPOKEN ] □ I've been here, oh, since the end of June.
ohm /oʊ m/ (ohms ) N‑COUNT An ohm is a unit which is used to measure electrical resistance. [TECHNICAL ]
OHMS /oʊ e I tʃ em e s/ OHMS is used on official letters from British or Commonwealth government offices. OHMS is the abbreviation for 'On Her Majesty's Service' or 'On His Majesty's Service'.
OHP /oʊ e I tʃ piː / (OHPs ) N‑COUNT An OHP is the same as an overhead projector .
oi /ɔ I / EXCLAM In informal situations, people say or shout ' oi ' to attract someone's attention, especially if they are angry. [BRIT ] □ Oi! You lot! Shut up!
oik /ɔ I k/ (oiks ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an oik , you think that they behave in a rude or unacceptable way, especially in a way that you believe to be typical of a low social class. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They imply that Tony is an uneducated oik, who spends too much time down the pub.
oil ◆◆◆ /ɔ I l/ (oils , oiling , oiled )
1 N‑VAR Oil is a smooth, thick liquid that is used as a fuel and for making the parts of machines move smoothly. Oil is found underground. □ The company buys and sells about 600,000 barrels of oil a day. □ …the rapid rise in prices for oil and petrol. □ …a small oil lamp.
2 VERB If you oil something, you put oil onto or into it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it. □ [V n] A crew of assistants oiled and adjusted the release mechanism until it worked perfectly.
3 N‑VAR [usu n N ] Oil is a smooth, thick liquid made from plants and is often used for cooking. □ Combine the beans, chopped mint and olive oil in a large bowl.
4 N‑VAR Oil is a smooth, thick liquid, often with a pleasant smell, that you rub into your skin or add to your bath. □ Try a hot bath with some relaxing bath oil.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Oils are oil paintings . □ Her colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.
6 N‑PLURAL When an artist paints in oils , he or she uses oil paints. □ When she paints in oils she always uses the same range of colours.
7 → see also castor oil , crude oil , olive oil
8 PHRASE If someone or something oils the wheels of a process or system, they help things to run smoothly and successfully. □ On all such occasions, the king stands in the wings, oiling the wheels of diplomacy.
9 to burn the midnight oil → see midnight
oil|cloth /ɔ I lklɒθ, [AM ] -klɔːθ/ (oilcloths )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Oilcloth is a cotton fabric with a shiny waterproof surface.
2 N‑COUNT An oilcloth is a covering made from oilcloth, such as a tablecloth.
oiled /ɔ I ld/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is oiled has had oil put into or onto it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it. □ Oiled wood is water-resistant and won't flake.
2 → see also well-oiled
oil|field /ɔ I lfiːld/ (oilfields ) also oil field N‑COUNT An oilfield is an area of land or sea under which there is oil.
oi l-fired ADJ [ADJ n] Oil-fired heating systems and power stations use oil as a fuel. □ …an oil-fired furnace.
oil|man /ɔ I lmæn/ (oilmen ) also oil man N‑COUNT An oilman is a man who owns an oil company or who works in the oil business. [JOURNALISM ]
oi l paint (oil paints ) N‑UNCOUNT Oil paint is a thick paint used by artists. It is made from coloured powder and linseed oil.
oi l paint|ing (oil paintings ) N‑COUNT An oil painting is a picture which has been painted using oil paints. □ Several magnificent oil paintings adorn the walls.
oi l pan (oil pans ) N‑COUNT An oil pan is the place under an engine which holds the engine oil. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use sump
oi l plat|form (oil platforms ) N‑COUNT An oil platform is a structure that is used when getting oil from the ground under the sea.
oi l rig (oil rigs ) N‑COUNT An oil rig is a structure on land or in the sea that is used when getting oil from the ground.
oil|seed rape /ɔ I lsiːd re I p/ also oil-seed rape N‑UNCOUNT Oilseed rape is a plant with yellow flowers which is grown as a crop. Its seeds are crushed to make cooking oil. [BRIT ] in AM, use rape
oil|skins /ɔ I lsk I nz/ N‑PLURAL Oilskins are a coat and a pair of trousers made from thick waterproof cotton cloth.
oi l slick (oil slicks ) N‑COUNT An oil slick is a layer of oil that is floating on the sea or on a lake because it has accidentally come out of a ship or container. □ The oil slick is now 35 miles long.