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flue
1[ floo ]
/ flu /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of flue
1First recorded in 1555â65; earlier flew; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Old English flÄwsa âa flowing, flux,â the form flews being taken as plural
Words nearby flue
flubdub, fluctuant, fluctuate, fluctuation, flucytosine, flue, flue-cure, flue gas, fluellen, fluency, fluent
Other definitions for flue (2 of 3)
Origin of flue
2First recorded in 1580â90; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Old English flug- (in flugol âswift, fleetingâ); perhaps from Flemish Dutch vluwe, from French velu âhairy, downyâ; see also velvet
Other definitions for flue (3 of 3)
flue3
or flew
[ floo ]
/ flu /
noun
a fishing net.
Origin of flue
3First recorded in 1350â1400; Middle English flue, flowe, flew, from Middle Dutch vl(o)uwe âfishing netâ; akin to Old English flĆwan flow
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use flue in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for flue (1 of 4)
flue1
/ (fluË) /
noun
a shaft, tube, or pipe, esp as used in a chimney, to carry off smoke, gas, etc
music the passage in an organ pipe or flute within which a vibrating air column is set upSee also flue pipe
Word Origin for flue
C16: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for flue (2 of 4)
flue2
/ (fluË) /
noun
loose fluffy matter; down
Word Origin for flue
C16: from Flemish vluwe, from Old French velu shaggy
British Dictionary definitions for flue (3 of 4)
flue3
flew
/ (fluË) /
noun
a type of fishing net
Word Origin for flue
Middle English, from Middle Dutch vlƫwe
British Dictionary definitions for flue (4 of 4)
Derived forms of flue
flued, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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