flow

¹flow

verb \ˈflō\

Definition of FLOW

intransitive verb

1

a (1) : to issue or move in a stream (2) : circulate

b : to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles <molasses flows slowly>

2

: rise <the tide ebbs and flows>

3

: abound <a land flowing with natural resources>

4

a : to proceed smoothly and readily <conversation flowed easily>

b : to have a smooth continuity

5

: to hang loose and billowing <her gown flowed around her>

6

: to derive from a source : come <the wealth that flows from trade>

7

: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocks

8

: menstruate

transitive verb

1

: to cause to flow

2

: to discharge in a flow

— flow·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of FLOW

1. rivers flowing into the sea
2. She opened the faucet and the water began to flow freely.
3. a device that measures the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit
4. Traffic has been flowing smoothly from east to west.
5. The grain flowed smoothly down the elevator chute.
6. Requests have flowed into the office.
7. Money has continued to flow in.

Origin of FLOW

Middle English, from Old English flōwan; akin to Old High German flouwen to rinse, wash, Latin pluere to rain, Greek plein to sail, float

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FLOW

Synonyms

pour, roll, run, stream

Antonyms

back up

Related Words

arise, disembogue, effuse, emanate, issue, spring; course, race, rush; fountain, gush, spout, spurt; deluge, engulf, flood, inundate, overflow, overrun, swamp; cascade, dribble, drip, gutter, riffle, ripple, sheet, trickle; flush, wash out

Near Antonyms

clot, coagulate, congeal, gel, harden, set

See Synonym Discussion at spring

Rhymes with FLOW

beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, low, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, woe, yo

²flow

noun

Definition of FLOW

1

: an act of flowing

2

a : flood 1a

b : flood 2 <the tide's ebb and flow>

3

a : a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress <a flow of information>

b : stream; also : a mass of material which has flowed when molten <an old lava flow>

c : the direction of movement or development <go with the flow>

4

: the quantity that flows in a certain time <a gauge that measures fuel flow>

5

: menstruation

6

a : the motion characteristic of fluids

b : a continuous transfer of energy

Examples of FLOW

1. a sudden flow of tears
2. a steady flow of traffic
3. The doctor was trying to stop the flow of blood.
4. We want to encourage the free flow of ideas.
5. the westward flow of settlers
6. We've been receiving a constant flow of phone calls.
7. measuring blood flow to the brain

First Known Use of FLOW

15th century