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

Their 1940 Fords had 200,000 miles on them and holes in the floorboard so they could pour fluid into the master cylinders.

From Los Angeles Times

It could slowly slide along, because instead of being solid, the rock of a harmonic tremor was fluid.

From Literature

She has since had chemotherapy, thirty rounds of radiotherapy, and two operations to help fluid drain from her brain, and has been told she has months to live.

From BBC

Scientists around the world have been searching for reliable early indicators of Parkinson's disease, including markers found through brain imaging and spinal fluid analysis.

From Science Daily

He argued dialogue between the UK and China was "imperative" in a "turbulent and fluid" world.

From BBC

Related Words

• flexible
• shifting
• unsettled
• unstable