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Oil vs. Fuel — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 9, 2024
"Oil" is a broad category of viscous liquids derived from organic sources, used in various industries, while "fuel" refers to substances that release energy when combusted.
Oil vs. Fuel — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Oil and Fuel

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Key Differences

"Oil" encompasses a wide range of viscous liquids, typically organic, that are extracted from geological formations or biological sources. On the other hand, "fuel" is a more general term for substances that can be burned or oxidized to release energy.
Oils can serve various purposes, such as lubrication, cooking, and as a base component in industrial products. Fuels are essential for powering engines, heating buildings, and generating electricity, and they include solids, liquids, and gases like coal, gasoline, and natural gas.
While all fuels are substances that release energy, not all oils serve as fuel. For instance, essential oils used in aromatherapy and cooking oils like olive or vegetable oil are not considered fuels because they are not primarily used for energy production. Conversely, some oils, such as diesel and kerosene, are classified as fuels because their main use is to produce energy through combustion in engines or heaters.
The distinction also lies in their applications; oils can have non-energy-related uses such as in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and the production of plastics, whereas fuels are specifically targeted towards energy generation and mechanical work.

Comparison Chart

Definition

Viscous liquid derived from organic sources
Substance used for energy through combustion
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Primary Use

Lubrication, cooking, industrial products
Powering engines, heating, electricity

Types

Essential oils, vegetable oils, crude oil
Coal, gasoline, natural gas, diesel

Energy Production

Not all oils are used for energy
Specifically used for energy generation

Applications

Broad, including non-energy uses
Primarily for energy and mechanical work

Compare with Definitions

Oil

Extracted from geological or biological sources.
Crude oil is pumped from beneath the Earth's surface.

Fuel

Includes solids, liquids, and gases.
Coal is a solid fuel used in many power plants.

Oil

Used in cooking, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
Olive oil is popular both in culinary and skincare products.

Fuel

Vital for heating buildings and generating power.
Natural gas is a common fuel for home heating systems.

Oil

Key ingredient in plastics and pharmaceuticals.
Certain oils are foundational in the production of various plastics.

Fuel

Combusted to produce energy.
Gasoline is burned in car engines to power vehicles.

Oil

Essential for reducing friction in machinery.
Motor oil ensures smooth engine operation.

Fuel

Powers various modes of transport.
Jet fuel is specifically formulated for aircraft engines.

Oil

Not all oils are used as fuels.
Essential oils are used for their aromatic properties, not energy.

Fuel

Primarily utilized for their energy content.
Diesel fuel is used for its high energy density in engines.

Oil

An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is a viscous liquid at ambient temperatures and is both hydrophobic (does not mix with water, literally "water fearing") and lipophilic (mixes with other oils, literally "fat loving"). Oils have a high carbon and hydrogen content and are usually flammable and surface active.

Fuel

A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but has since also been applied to other sources of heat energy such as nuclear energy (via nuclear fission and nuclear fusion).

Oil

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum, especially for use as a fuel or lubricant.

Fuel

A material such as wood, coal, gas, or oil burned to produce heat or power.

Oil

Oil paint
A portrait in oils

Fuel

Fissionable material used in a nuclear reactor.

Oil

Information or facts
Young had some good oil on the Adelaide races

Fuel

Nutritive material metabolized by a living organism; food.

Oil

Lubricate, coat, or impregnate with oil
A lightly oiled baking tray

Fuel

Something that maintains or stimulates an activity or emotion
"Money is the fuel of a volunteer organization" (Natalie de Combray).

Oil

Supply with oil as fuel
Attempts should not be made to oil individual tanks too rapidly

Fuel

To provide with fuel.

Oil

Any of numerous mineral, vegetable, or synthetic substances or animal or vegetable fats that are generally slippery, combustible, viscous, liquid or liquefiable at room temperatures, soluble in various organic solvents such as ether but not in water, and used in a great variety of products, especially lubricants and fuels.

Fuel

To support or stimulate the activity or existence of
Rhetoric that fueled the dissenters.

Oil

Petroleum.

Fuel

To take in fuel.

Oil

A petroleum derivative, such as a machine oil or lubricant.

Fuel

Substance consumed to provide energy through combustion, or through chemical or nuclear reaction.

Oil

A protective or cosmetic liquid applied to the skin or hair.

Fuel

Substance that provides nourishment for a living organism; food.

Oil

Oil paint.

Fuel

(figuratively) Something that stimulates, encourages or maintains an action.
His books were fuel for the revolution.
Money is the fuel for economy.
That film was nightmare fuel!

Oil

A painting done in oil paint.

Fuel

To provide with fuel.

Oil

To lubricate, supply, cover, or polish with oil.

Fuel

To exacerbate, to cause to grow or become greater.

Oil

Liquid fat.

Fuel

Any matter used to produce heat by burning; that which feeds fire; combustible matter used for fires, as wood, coal, peat, etc.

Oil

Petroleum-based liquid used as fuel or lubricant.

Fuel

Anything that serves to feed or increase passion or excitement.

Oil

Petroleum

Fuel

To feed with fuel.
Never, alas I the dreadful name,That fuels the infernal flame.

Oil

(countable) An oil painting.

Fuel

To store or furnish with fuel or firing.
Well watered and well fueled.

Oil

(painting) Oil paint.
I prefer to paint in oil

Fuel

A substance that can be consumed to produce energy;
More fuel is needed during the winter months
They developed alternative fuels for aircraft

Oil

(attributive) Containing oil, conveying oil; intended for or capable of containing oil.
Oil barrel; oil pipe

Fuel

Provide with a combustible substance that provides emergy;
Fuel aircraft, ships, and cars

Oil

(transitive) To lubricate with oil.

Fuel

Provide with fuel;
Oil fires the furnace

Oil

(transitive) To grease with oil for cooking.

Fuel

Take in fuel, as of a ship;
The tanker fueled in Bahrain

Oil

Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc. They are of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin and of varied composition, and they are variously used for food, for solvents, for anointing, lubrication, illumination, etc. By extension, any substance of an oily consistency; as, oil of vitriol.

Fuel

Stimulate;
Fuel the debate on creationism

Oil

To smear or rub over with oil; to lubricate with oil; to anoint with oil.

Oil

A slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water

Oil

Oil paint used by an artist

Oil

Any of a group of liquid edible fats that are obtained from plants

Oil

Cover with oil, as if by rubbing;
Oil the wooden surface

Oil

Administer an oil or ointment to ; often in a religious ceremony of blessing

Common Curiosities

What makes a substance a fuel?

A fuel is any substance that can be combusted or oxidized to release energy, typically for heating, powering engines, or generating electricity.

Can all oils be used as fuels?

No, not all oils are suitable for use as fuels. Some, like essential or cooking oils, are not intended for energy production.

Can fuels be non-combustible?

The primary characteristic of a fuel is its ability to release energy, usually through combustion. Non-combustible substances would not typically be classified as fuels.

How are oils used in industries outside of energy?

Oils are used in a variety of industrial applications, including as lubricants in machinery, ingredients in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and as base substances in the production of plastics and other materials.

Is electricity considered a fuel?

Electricity is a form of energy rather than a fuel. It is often generated through the combustion of fuels like coal, natural gas, or the use of nuclear and renewable energy sources.

Are there oils that do not come from organic sources?

Most oils have organic origins, but synthetic oils are created through chemical processes and do not come directly from organic sources.

How are fuels stored safely?

Fuels are stored in specially designed containers or tanks that prevent leaks and reduce the risk of fire or explosion, following strict safety regulations.

Is gasoline considered an oil or a fuel?

Gasoline is derived from crude oil through refining processes and is considered a fuel due to its primary use for energy production in combustion engines.

Can the same substance be both oil and fuel?

Yes, some substances can be classified as both, depending on their use. For example, diesel is an oil used predominantly as a fuel.

What are some examples of solid fuels?

Coal and wood are common examples of solid fuels used in power generation and heating.

Are there environmentally friendly fuels?

Yes, biofuels made from renewable organic materials and alternative fuels like hydrogen can be more environmentally friendly options compared to fossil fuels.

Can oils be renewable?

Yes, some oils, like those derived from biological sources (e.g., vegetable oils), can be considered renewable, especially when produced from crops grown sustainably.

How is fuel efficiency measured?

Fuel efficiency is typically measured by the amount of energy produced per unit of fuel consumed, such as miles per gallon in vehicles or the heat output per unit of fuel in heating systems.

Can the term "oil" refer to any liquid substance?

While "oil" generally refers to viscous liquids, not all liquid substances are considered oils. The term is typically reserved for organic or synthetic liquids used for specific purposes like lubrication, fuel, or in industrial processes.

Do all vehicles use the same type of fuel?

No, different vehicles may use various types of fuels, including gasoline, diesel, electricity, and alternative fuels like biodiesel or hydrogen.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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