fluid

American  

[floo-id] / ˈflu ɪd /

noun

1. a substance, as a liquid or gas, that is capable of flowing and that changes its shape at a steady rate when acted upon by a force tending to change its shape.

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adjective

1. pertaining to a substance that easily changes its shape; capable of flowing.

2. consisting of or pertaining to fluids.

3. changing readily; shifting; not fixed, stable, or rigid.

   fluid movements.

4. convertible into cash.

   fluid assets.

fluid British  

/ ˈfluːɪd /

noun

1. a substance, such as a liquid or gas, that can flow, has no fixed shape, and offers little resistance to an external stress

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adjective

1. capable of flowing and easily changing shape

2. of, concerned with, or using a fluid or fluids

3. constantly changing or apt to change

4. smooth in shape or movement; flowing

fluid Scientific  

/ flo̅o̅′ĭd /

1. A state of matter, such as liquid or gas, in which the component particles (generally molecules) can move past one another. Fluids flow easily and conform to the shape of their containers.

2. See also state of matter viscosity

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fluid Cultural  

1. In physics, a substance that flows — usually a liquid or a gas.

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Related Words

See liquid.

Other Word Forms

• fluidal adjective
• fluidally adverb
• fluidly adverb
• fluidness noun
• nonfluid noun
• nonfluidly adverb
• unfluid adjective

Etymology

Origin of fluid

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin fluidus, equivalent to flu(ere) “to flow” + -idus adjective suffix; -id ⁴

Example Sentences

Human transmission of Ebola happens through bodily fluids.

From Barron's

After an eye-catching ringwalk complete with a choreographed routine alongside a dance troupe, Hennessy, 21, displayed sharp footwork, crisp shot selection and fluid combination punching.

From BBC

These pathways also help maintain fluid balance, deliver nutrients and immune cells, and provide protection against injury.

From Science Daily

Identity is very much fluid at this historical juncture, when a man’s severed leg turns up in the belly of a dead shark and no one can identify it.

From The Wall Street Journal

My late friend always told me it wasn’t just DiMaggio’s hitting, it was his fielding, “fluid, like liquid.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flexible
• shifting
• unsettled
• unstable