fluid

1 of 2

adjective

flu·​id ˈflü-əd How to pronounce fluid (audio)
1
a
: having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing
a long screw that forces the fluid chocolate through fine openingsTechnical Survey
b
: subject to change or movement
boundaries became fluid
2
: characterized by or employing a smooth easy style
the ballerina's fluid movements
fluid recitation of his lines
3
a
: available for various uses
a fluid computer program
b
: liquid sense 4
fluid assets
fluidly adverb
fluidness noun

fluid

2 of 2

noun

: a substance (such as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container
fluidal adjective
fluidally adverb
fluidlike adjective

Examples of fluid in a Sentence

Adjective a substance in a fluid state warm the jam until it is fluid, then spread it over the cake Noun Please check the fluids in the car's engine. She needs to drink plenty of fluids. Fluid leaked from the car's engine. a bottle of yellow fluid
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Life is fluid and some experiences run their course. Madison Butler, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 That information was given to you all when the investigation was still very fluid. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024 This points to how the map of our body is fluid, fundamentally shaped by physical experience as well as how the mind sees the body. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 Liquid is fluid; its meaning is pliable, even when applied to the rigidity of ritual. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 But the inclusion of hoodies felt fluid and appeared to be a nod to how much athleisure has become enmeshed into workwear wardrobes, especially in New York City. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Feb. 2024 Keeping conversations on the topic fluid and ongoing. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 14 Feb. 2024 Yet in Ukraine, at least, the result has not been a fluid war of shock and awe. Shashank Joshi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Up to 5% of people sustaining second infections will experience leaky blood vessels, fluid accumulation in the lungs and abdomen, the potential for significant bleeding or development of shock and potentially death. Stephen J. Thomas, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Noun
Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution Water is key to staying hydrated, but electrolyte solutions, like Pedialyte, also help with hydration if a child has been losing excessive fluids from puking or experiencing diarrhea. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 27 Feb. 2024 Some people with the condition develop skin tunnels, also known as sinus tracts, which can open up, leak fluid, and cause scars. Tatiana Walk-Morris, SELF, 26 Feb. 2024 The brake fluid pipe flare nut for the brake fluid supply line may have been tightened incorrectly and can cause the brake fluid to leak. USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Tinkerers discovered that devices with multiple small holes, instead of a single large aperture, could utilize water, rather than air pressure, to force fluid upward. Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 When there is a shunt blockage, extra fluid can build up in the brain causing pressure on the brain, which could lead to brain damage, according to the National Institute of Health. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 Humans can get infected with bubonic plague either through flea bites or direct contact with the tissues or fluids of an infected animal.2 The plague is treatable with common antibiotics, so health authorities are not worried about an outbreak following the Oregon case. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2024 Severe cases can lead to acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration; without timely treatment with IV fluids and antibiotics, these patients can die in a matter of hours. Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 The shooting spurts of goo, pus, and assorted bodily fluids are definitely not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, but for those who enjoy watching an expert pop pimples, lance boils, and generally improve the quality of her patients' lives, Dr. Pimple Popper is sure to deliver. Briana Richert, James Mercadante, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French or Latin; French fluide, from Latin fluidus, from fluere to flow; akin to Greek phlyzein to boil over

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluid was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near fluid

Cite this Entry

“Fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fluid

1 of 2 adjective
flu·​id ˈflü-əd How to pronounce fluid (audio)
1
a
: capable of flowing like a liquid or gas
b
: likely or tending to change or move
2
: showing a smooth easy style
fluid movements
fluidly adverb
fluidness noun

fluid

2 of 2 noun
: a substance tending to flow or take the shape of its container
liquids and gases are fluids
fluidlike adjective
Etymology

Adjective

from French fluide or Latin fluidus, both meaning "fluid, able to flow," from Latin fluere "to flow" — related to affluent, fluent, flush entry 2, influence, superfluous

Medical Definition

fluid

1 of 2 adjective
flu·​id ˈflü-əd How to pronounce fluid (audio)
: having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing

fluid

2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container
specifically : one in the body of an animal or plant see cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid

More from Merriam-Webster on fluid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!