This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
flush
1[ fluhsh ]
/ flʌʃ /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of flush
1OTHER WORDS FROM flush
flush·a·ble, adjectiveflusher, nounflush·ing·ly, adverbflushness, nounWords nearby flush
Other definitions for flush (2 of 4)
Origin of flush
2First recorded in 1540–50; perhaps all sense developments of flush1
OTHER WORDS FROM flush
flush·ness, nounOther definitions for flush (3 of 4)
flush3
[ fluhsh ]
/ flʌʃ /
verb (used with object)
to drive (a game bird or other animal) from cover and cause to fly off or spring forth suddenly; rouse: to flush a woodcock;to flush a bear from a thicket.
to force (a person) out of hiding: The troops have flushed the rebels from their bases.
verb (used without object)
to fly off or spring forth suddenly from a hiding place; come out of hiding.
noun
a flushed bird or other animal, or a group of them.
the act of driving or forcing an animal or person from a hiding place.
Origin of flush
3First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English flusshen, first attested as past participle fluste, fliste; of uncertain origin
Other definitions for flush (4 of 4)
flush4
[ fluhsh ]
/ flʌʃ /
adjective
consisting entirely of cards of one suit: a flush hand.
noun
a hand or set of cards all of one suit.Compare royal flush, straight flush.
Pinochle. a meld of ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit.Compare marriage (def. 9), royal marriage.
Origin of flush
4First recorded in 1520–30; compare French (obsolete) flus, variant of flux “flow, flush” (compare phrase run of cards), from Latin fluxus “a flowing”; see flux
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use flush in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for flush (1 of 4)
flush1
/ (flʌʃ) /
verb
noun
adjective
having a ruddy or heightened colour
Derived forms of flush
flusher, nounWord Origin for flush
C16 (in the sense: to gush forth): perhaps from flush ³
British Dictionary definitions for flush (2 of 4)
Derived forms of flush
flushness, nounWord Origin for flush
C18: probably from flush 1 (in the sense: spring out)
British Dictionary definitions for flush (3 of 4)
flush3
/ (flʌʃ) /
verb
(tr) to rouse (game, wild creatures, etc) and put to flight
Word Origin for flush
C13 flusshen, perhaps of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for flush (4 of 4)
flush4
/ (flʌʃ) /
noun
(in poker and similar games) a hand containing only one suit
Word Origin for flush
C16: from Old French flus, from Latin fluxus flux
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012