fluid

adjective flu·id \ ˈflü-əd \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of fluid

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 openings
—Technical 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 4

fluid assets

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fluidly

adverb

—

fluidness

noun

See fluid defined for English-language learners

See fluid defined for kids

Examples of fluid in a Sentence

a substance in a fluid state
warm the jam until it is fluid, then spread it over the cake

Recent Examples of fluid from the Web

In this case, director Mark Streshinsky’s elegantly fluid staging favors timelessness over topicality, though the costumes do lend the proceedings an early 20th century feel.

— jeremy eichler, BostonGlobe.com, "From darkness to light with Boston Baroque’s rousing ‘Fidelio’," 14 Apr. 2018
Cooks, who is similar in size to ex-Panthers star Steve Smith but less fluid in and out of breaks, seems a good bet to replicate some of Watkins’ downfield stretch.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pats-Rams trade has a lot to offer in NFL's Trades R Us offseason," 4 Apr. 2018
This is still pretty fluid from the standpoint of anything could happen.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Several spots on Marlins’ roster remain open as Opening Day nears | Miami Herald," 22 Mar. 2018
The blend of 25% Malvasia di Candia, 25% Marsanne, 25% Ortugo, and 25% mystery varietals is melodic and fluid but gritty and gripping with a warm and citrusy tannic finish.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "“Orange Wine” Needs to Go Away—Hear Me Out," 20 Mar. 2018
When those metals come into contact with sweat, saline or even fluid discharges from wounds, silver acts as the positive electrode and zinc serves as the negative electrode—and electricity flows between them.

— asimina kiourti, Scientific American, "Embroidering Electronics into the Next Generation of “Smart” Fabrics," 13 Mar. 2018
When those metals come into contact with sweat, saline or even fluid discharges from wounds, silver acts as the positive electrode and zinc serves as the negative electrode – and electricity flows between them.

— asimina kiourti, Smithsonian, "The Next Generation of ‘Smart’ Fabrics Could Have Electronics Embroidered Into Them," 12 Mar. 2018
In the midfield, the players were fluid in their movement and kept possession.

— charlie hatch, Cincinnati.com, "Takeaways from FC Cincinnati's 3-0 win at Northern Kentucky University," 27 Feb. 2018
The steps taken by North and South toward each other this month are formidable but fluid.

— CBS News, "North Korea signals willingness to talk with U.S. as Olympics come to a close," 25 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fluid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fluid

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1603

See Words from the same year

fluid Synonyms

Phrases

up in the air;

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

fluid

noun

Definition of fluid

: a substance (such as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container

—

fluidal

play \ˈflü-ə-dᵊl\ adjective

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fluidally

play \ˈflü-ə-dᵊl-ē\ adverb

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fluidlike

play \ˈflü-ə-dᵊl-ˌlīk\ adjective

See fluid defined for English-language learners

Examples of fluid in a Sentence

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 of fluid from the Web

His wife, initially queasy about bodily fluids, learned to change bandages, colostomy bags and the feeding apparatus.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore police officer spends four years recovering from gunshots in hope of returning to duty," 5 Apr. 2018
Based on the animal's condition, an animal may receive fluids, pain medications, antibiotics, stitches, or splints.

— vagney bradley, Houston Chronicle, "Wildlife rescue group makes call for volunteers," 29 Mar. 2018
The genre-leaping, gender-fluid Jordan now has more than 15 albums to his credit and provides music therapy at hospitals and schools.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top weekend events: Chick Corea, Chamorro Cultural Festival, Ugly Dog Contest," 23 Mar. 2018
Afterward, Poppy needed IV fluids, antibiotics, heavy pain medication and 24-hour monitoring.

— kim campbell thornton, sacbee, "Saved by junk food? That seems to be the case with bloated dog," 21 Mar. 2018
In addition, drinking more fluids, including soup, caffeine-free teas and water can help.

— dr. judy schaechter, miamiherald, "She keeps coughing. What can I give her? | Miami Herald," 20 Mar. 2018
At the base of the run, Foote’s support crew of more than a dozen friends manned a folding table with homemade snacks and an assortment of fluids, like water mixed with Skratch Labs supplements and warm tea.

— elliott d. woods, Outside Online, "How Mike Foote Set an Obscure 24-Hour Skiing Record," 20 Mar. 2018
And Facebook began offering users a selection of more than 50 gender options, including gender fluid, gender variant, a-gender and bi-gender.

— stephanie ebbert, BostonGlobe.com, "Change in gender norms brings a pronoun revolution," 11 Mar. 2018
Google has turned its once-messy operating system into a fluid, coherent, useful tool for all sorts of devices.

— david pierce, WSJ, "Samsung Galaxy S9 Is Impressive and Infuriating," 8 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of fluid

see ¹fluid

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1661

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

FLUID Defined for English Language Learners

fluid

adjective

Definition of fluid for English Language Learners

: capable of flowing freely like water
—used to describe something that can change easily or that changes often
: having or showing a smooth and easy style

fluid

noun

Definition of fluid for English Language Learners

: a substance that is able to flow freely : a liquid substance

FLUID Defined for Kids

fluid

adjective flu·id \ ˈflü-əd \

Definition of fluid for Students

1 : capable of flowing like a liquid or gas

fluid lava

2 : having a graceful or flowing style or appearance

a dancer's fluid movement

—

fluidly

adverb

fluid

noun

Definition of fluid for Students

: something that tends to flow and take the shape of its container

Word Root of fluid

The Latin word fluere, meaning “to flow,” gives us the root flu. Words from the Latin fluere have something to do with flowing. A fluid is a substance that flows and is usually a liquid. When someone is fluent in a language the words flow out of her or him. Anything superfluous, or extra, has flowed forth beyond what is necessary.

Medical Dictionary

fluid

adjective flu·id \ ˈflü-əd \

medical Definition of fluid

: 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

noun

medical Definition of fluid

: 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