1
: flowing freely like water
liquid detergent
2
: having the properties of a liquid : being neither solid nor gaseous
3
a
: shining and clear
large liquid eyes
b
: being musical and free of harshness in sound
the liquid song of the robin
c
: smooth and unconstrained in movement
the liquid grace of a ballerina
d
: articulated without friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel
a liquid consonant
4
a
: consisting of or capable of ready conversion into cash
liquid assets
b
: capable of covering current liabilities (see liability sense 2) quickly with current assets
1
: a liquid consonant
2
: a fluid (such as water) that has no independent shape but has a definite volume and does not expand indefinitely and that is only slightly compressible
Synonyms
Examples of liquid in a Sentence
Adjective
Water and milk are liquid substances.
The medicine is available in liquid form.
She had large liquid eyes.
the liquid notes of a bird
the liquid grace of the dancer's movements
Noun
Water and milk are liquids.
a bottle of green liquid
Recent Examples on the Web
Valerie Butler, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
Later, an environmental tester hired by Norfolk Southern noticed a liquid residue on the home’s basement walls.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
Then, after two months on TPN and a clear liquid diet, the home care nurse pulled the PICC.
—Andrew Chapman, Longreads, 18 Apr. 2024
For perfect cookie dough every time, use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups (like Pyrex glass measuring cups) for wet ingredients.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
In March, protesting farmers from Belgium ran amok at a demonstration outside EU headquarters in Brussels, setting fire to a subway station entrance and attacking police with eggs and liquid manure.
—Raf Casert, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
The story here is very slight: With the help of his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), Segel’s Gary and his Muppet friend Walter must foil a plot by an oil-hungry baddie (played by Chris Cooper, with a full-fledged maniacal laugh) to destroy the Muppet Studio for more of that liquid gold.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Their teamwork was on display when Amanda hopped in to suggest using liquid nitrogen to help set Dan’s soft mousse, which worked like a dream.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
No injuries have been reported, although there have been four reports of children in the U.S. accessing the liquid laundry packets.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2024
The larvae suck liquids from tree roots for sustenance, while adult cicadas drink from woody shrubs or trees, the National Wildlife Federation reports
Oak, maple, willow and ash trees are dietary staples, but the bug will feed on any big plant available, according to Orkin.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Collagen supplements are available in various forms: capsules, liquid, and powder.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Our testers noted that this powder is truly tasteless and dissolves well in both hot and cold liquids.
—Alexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024
Drain the potatoes, transfer them to a clean kitchen towel and wring out any excess liquid.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
His colleagues fill the bag with a clear, warm liquid meant to mimic amniotic fluid and seal the artificial womb.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
To take this supplement, simply mix one teaspoon of powder into at least eight ounces of water, and then drink it immediately—psyllium husk thickens quickly in liquid.
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
Add tomatoes and their liquid to the pot, along with the beans, salt and broth.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Burn until the wax becomes partly liquid then extinguish.
—Valerie Butler, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
Later, an environmental tester hired by Norfolk Southern noticed a liquid residue on the home’s basement walls.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
Then, after two months on TPN and a clear liquid diet, the home care nurse pulled the PICC.
—Andrew Chapman, Longreads, 18 Apr. 2024
For perfect cookie dough every time, use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups (like Pyrex glass measuring cups) for wet ingredients.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
In March, protesting farmers from Belgium ran amok at a demonstration outside EU headquarters in Brussels, setting fire to a subway station entrance and attacking police with eggs and liquid manure.
—Raf Casert, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
The story here is very slight: With the help of his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), Segel’s Gary and his Muppet friend Walter must foil a plot by an oil-hungry baddie (played by Chris Cooper, with a full-fledged maniacal laugh) to destroy the Muppet Studio for more of that liquid gold.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Their teamwork was on display when Amanda hopped in to suggest using liquid nitrogen to help set Dan’s soft mousse, which worked like a dream.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
No injuries have been reported, although there have been four reports of children in the U.S. accessing the liquid laundry packets.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
Add a basil leaf or two on top of the liquid (or push it down into the liquid).
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2024
The larvae suck liquids from tree roots for sustenance, while adult cicadas drink from woody shrubs or trees, the National Wildlife Federation reports
Oak, maple, willow and ash trees are dietary staples, but the bug will feed on any big plant available, according to Orkin.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Collagen supplements are available in various forms: capsules, liquid, and powder.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Our testers noted that this powder is truly tasteless and dissolves well in both hot and cold liquids.
—Alexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024
Drain the potatoes, transfer them to a clean kitchen towel and wring out any excess liquid.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
His colleagues fill the bag with a clear, warm liquid meant to mimic amniotic fluid and seal the artificial womb.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
To take this supplement, simply mix one teaspoon of powder into at least eight ounces of water, and then drink it immediately—psyllium husk thickens quickly in liquid.
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
Add tomatoes and their liquid to the pot, along with the beans, salt and broth.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liquid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near liquid
Cite this Entry
“Liquid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquid. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liquid
1 of 2 adjective
liq·uid
ˈlik-wəd 
1
: flowing freely like water
2
: neither solid nor gaseous
liquid mercury
3
: resembling liquid in clearness or smoothness
large liquid eyes
liquid notes of a bird
4
: capable of being pronounced without friction and longer than usual like a vowel
the liquid consonant \l\
5
: made up of or easily changed into cash
liquid assets
liquid
2 of 2 noun1
: a liquid consonant
2
: a liquid substance
Medical Definition
liquid
1 of 2 adjective
liq·uid
ˈlik-wəd
1
: flowing freely like water
2
: having the properties of a liquid : being neither solid nor gaseous
liquid
2 of 2 noun
: a fluid (as water) that has no independent shape but has a definite volume and does not expand indefinitely and that is only slightly compressible
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