flush

1 of 7

verb (1)

ˈfləsh 

flushed; flushing; flushes

intransitive verb

: to fly away suddenly

transitive verb

1

: to cause (a bird) to flush

The birds were flushed out of the trees.

2

: to expose or chase from a place of concealment

flushed the boys from their hiding place

Police flushed the suspects from the building.

flush

2 of 7

noun (1)

1

: a hand of playing cards all of the same suit

specifically : a poker hand containing five cards of the same suit but not in sequence see poker illustration

2

: a series of three or more slalom gates set vertically on a slope

flush

3 of 7

noun (2)

1

: a sudden flow (as of water)

also : a rinsing or cleansing with or as if with a flush of water

2

a

: a sudden increase or expansion

especially : sudden and usually abundant new plant growth

the spring flush of grass

b

: a surge of emotion

felt a flush of relief at the decision

3

a

: a tinge of red : blush

b

: a fresh and vigorous state

in the first flush of adulthood

4

: a transitory sensation of extreme heat compare hot flash

flush

4 of 7

verb (2)

flushed; flushing; flushes

intransitive verb

1

: to flow and spread suddenly and freely

2

a

: to glow brightly

b

: blush

3

: to produce new growth

the plants flush twice during the year

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to flow

b

: to pour liquid over or through

especially : to cleanse or wash out with or as if with a rush of liquid

flush the toilet

flush the lungs with air

2

: inflame, excite

—usually used passively

flushed with pride

3

: to cause to blush

flush

5 of 7

adjective

1

a

: of a ruddy healthy color

b

: full of life and vigor : lusty

2

a

: filled to overflowing

streams flush with the spring runoff

b

informal : having a large amount of money

feeling flush

a company that's flush with cash/money

3

informal : readily available : abundant

4

a

: having or forming a continuous plane or unbroken surface

flush paneling

b

: directly abutting or immediately adjacent: such as

(1)

: set even with an edge of a type page or column : having no indention

(2)

: arranged edge to edge so as to fit snugly

flushness noun

flush

6 of 7

adverb

1

: in a flush manner

cabinets set flush

2

: squarely

hit him flush on the chin

flush

7 of 7

verb (3)

flushed; flushing; flushes

transitive verb

: to make flush

Flush the headings on the page.

Synonyms of flush

Noun (2)

• blush
• color

Verb (2)

• rinse
• wash

Adjective

• tanned
• red
• glowing
• flushed
• ruddy
• warm
• rosy
• blooming

Examples of flush in a Sentence

Noun (2)

looked for a flush on her cheeks as evidence of a fever

was in the flush of his youth

a flush of patriotic pride

Verb (2)

use this cleaner to flush the drain in the sink

he flushed deeply upon hearing the compliment

Adjective

He just got paid and he was feeling flush.

was flushed after getting out of the hot bath

Adverb

She placed her hands flush against the door and pushed with all her might.

He hit the ball flush.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This ideally should flush away completely once everything dissolves. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026

Flight attendants emphasize closing the toilet lid before flushing to help limit the spread of germs in tight airplane lavatories. —Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026

Noun

Water Is Your Friend According to sewer and drain specialist Tyler Pittenger, a long flush of water after using the disposal is the best way to prevent clogs and backups. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026

If a crisper form is desired, Forever Goldy® can be shaped in early spring, before the first flush of new growth. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Rewind to 2021 when Chicago was flush with COVID-19 relief money, anticipating a windfall from federal infrastructure legislation and holding onto millions of Stevenson/Brighton tax increment financing dollars. —Juan Sebastian Arias, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

But whoever does will take over an agency flush with cash while still a flashpoint for controversy. —Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Adverb

After the surface is smoothed down, use a putty knife to apply wood filler to repair major cracks and holes, and after the repairs dry, sand the patches down flush with the original piece. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026

These ribs are lowered to sit flush against a metal or wooden pole when not in use. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English flusshen

Noun (1)

Middle French flus, fluz, from Latin fluxus flow, flux

Noun (2)

perhaps modification of Latin fluxus

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1548, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (3)

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing flush

• four-flush
• in the (first) flush of
• royal flush
• straight flush

Rhymes for flush

• blush
• brush
• crush
• gush
• hush
• lush
• mush
• plush
• shush
• slush
• thrush
• airbrush

Kids Definition

flush

1 of 5 verb

ˈfləsh 

: to take flight or cause to take flight suddenly

flushed several quail

flush

2 of 5 noun

1

: a sudden flow (as of water)

2

: a sudden increase (as of emotion)

a flush of triumph

3

a

: blush entry 2 sense 2

b

: a fresh and vigorous state

the flush of youth

4

: a brief sensation of heat

flush

3 of 5 verb

1

: blush entry 1 sense 1

2

: to pour liquid over or through

especially : to wash out with a rush of liquid

flush a toilet

3

: inflame sense 2, excite

flushed with pride

4

: to make red or hot

flush

4 of 5 adjective

1

a

: of a healthy reddish color

b

: full of life and vigor : lusty

2

a

: filled to overflowing

b

informal : well supplied especially with money

3

a

: having an unbroken surface

flush paneling

b

: even with the neighboring surface

a river flush with the top of its bank

flushness noun

flush

5 of 5 adverb

1

: so as to be flush

2

: so as to make solid contact

a blow flush on the chin

Etymology

Verb

Middle English flusshen "to fly up suddenly"

Noun

perhaps from Latin fluxus, "flow," from fluere "to flow" — related to fluid

Medical Definition

flush

1 of 2 noun

ˈfləsh 

: a transitory sensation of extreme heat (as in response to some drugs or in some physiological states)

menopausal flushes

flush

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to blush or become suddenly suffused with color due to vasodilation

transitive verb

: to cleanse or wash out with or as if with a rush of liquid

the newly sewn incision is flushed with saline

—Don Gold