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

This leads, Mr. Hazzard writes, to “the constant gushing of fluids, all of them, into a diaper. It’s death by humiliation, by torment.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Rate expectations should remain fluid and commodity price dependent, and continue to play a secondary role for currency markets.”

From Barron's

“Rate expectations should remain fluid and commodity price dependent, and continue to play a secondary role for currency markets.”

From Barron's

They then added the new cells to this scaffold and placed it in a bioreactor - a special container that pumps vital growth fluids through the tissue - to grow and mature for a week.

From BBC

If Wagner’s job seems to require an unusual combination of skills—mastery of fluid dynamics, comfort with public speaking, strong pint tolerance—he comes by them honestly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flexible
• shifting
• unsettled
• unstable