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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
People with severe cases sometimes experience facial swelling, fluid in the lungs, bleeding from the mouth, nose, genitals or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 The theme comes together through sporty stripes, reimagined shirting, peplum silhouettes, capri pants and denim tunics in fluid and soft fabrications. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Lung abscess: This is the accumulation of pus—a yellowish or green, thick fluid—in the cavities of the lung. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024 That includes disposable instruments, plastic drapes, syringes, tubing, bandages and anything that might be contaminated with bodily fluids. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fluid 

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 8 Nov. 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

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