liquid

[ lik-wid ]

/ ˈlɪk wɪd /

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See synonyms for: liquid / liquids on Thesaurus.com

adjective

composed of molecules that move freely among themselves but do not tend to separate like those of gases; neither gaseous nor solid.

of, relating to, or consisting of liquids: a liquid diet.

flowing like water.

clear, transparent, or bright: liquid eyes.

(of sounds, tones, etc.) smooth; agreeable; flowing freely: the liquid voice of a trained orator.

in cash or readily convertible into cash without significant loss of principal: liquid assets.

Phonetics. characterizing a frictionless speech sound pronounced with only a partial obstruction of the breath stream and whose utterance can be prolonged as that of a vowel, especially l and r.

(of movements, gestures, etc.) graceful; smooth; free and unconstricted: the ballerina's liquid arabesques.

noun

a liquid substance.

Phonetics. either r or l, and sometimes m, n, ng.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of liquid

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English liquyd, from Latin liquidus, equivalent to liqu(ēre) “to be liquid” + -idus-id⁴

synonym study for liquid

1. Liquid, fluid agree in referring to matter that is not solid. Liquid commonly refers to substances, as water, oil, alcohol, and the like, that are neither solids nor gases: Water ceases to be a liquid when it is frozen or turned to steam. Fluid is applied to anything that flows, whether liquid or gaseous: Pipes can carry fluids from place to place.

OTHER WORDS FROM liquid

liq·uid·ly, adverbliq·uid·ness, nounnon·liq·uid, adjective, nounnon·liq·uid·ly, adverb

un·liq·uid, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH liquid

fluid, gas, liquid (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words nearby liquid

liquefied petroleum gas, liquefy, liquesce, liquescent, liqueur, liquid, liquid air, liquidambar, liquid asset, liquidate, liquidation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use liquid in a sentence

Plus, you won’t have to worry about the snow because these gloves are designed with an outer waterproof shell, which protects the batteries from any liquid damage.
Best hand warmers: Block the chill during your favorite winter activities|PopSci Commerce Team|February 10, 2021|Popular-Science
In 2019 he started working with SmartWater CSI, a Florida-based company that produces a proprietary traceable liquid.
Bee theft is almost a perfect crime—but there’s a new sheriff in town|Andrew Zaleski|February 9, 2021|Popular-Science
If you leave your boiling pot unattended and the liquid level gets too low, it’s very possible to scorch your tree syrup.
Make your own maple syrup without harming the trees|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|February 7, 2021|Popular-Science
There isn’t actually that much onscreen, you know, liquids, which is the only way I can put it.
How Gideon the Ninth author Tamsyn Muir queers the space opera|Constance Grady|February 5, 2021|Vox

The action in GameStop proves that liquid, high-volume markets aren't necessarily efficient markets.
How the government might react to GameStop|Felix Salmon|February 5, 2021|Axios
Total oil production figures include crude oil, natural gas liquids, and other liquid energy products.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During the height of his disenchantment, he visited his hometown where an old friend gave him some liquid acid.
DJ Spooky Wants You To Question Everything You Know About Music, Technology, and Philosophy|Oliver Jones|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How can a chilled, acidic, and bubbly liquid make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong|Kayleigh Kulp|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Slow at first, then steadily, a stream of liquid drips off the incision.
The Congo's Forgotten Colonial Getaway|Nina Strochlic|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We want to be the global auction house for the new collector at lower price points and create a more liquid market.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Aristide stood gossiping until the Mayor invited him to take a place at the table and consume liquid refreshment.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Carbolic Acid … liquid … oil … sweet oil … castor oil … aperient … Epsom Salts … white … white of egg.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
On the other hand, the rapidity with which liquid manure produces its effect must be taken into account.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
The quantity of this liquid distributed per acre is about 50,000 gallons, at a cost of 2d.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
In its liquid form, however, sewage manure has been employed with the best possible effect in the cultivation of meadows.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for liquid

liquid

/ (ˈlɪkwɪd) /

noun

a substance in a physical state in which it does not resist change of shape but does resist change of sizeCompare gas (def. 1), solid (def. 1)

a substance that is a liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

phonetics a frictionless continuant, esp (l) or (r)

adjective

of, concerned with, or being a liquid or having the characteristic state of liquidsliquid wax

shining, transparent, or brilliant

flowing, fluent, or smooth

(of assets) in the form of money or easily convertible into money

Derived forms of liquid

liquidly, adverbliquidness, noun

Word Origin for liquid

C14: via Old French from Latin liquidus, from liquēre to be fluid

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

Scientific definitions for liquid

liquid

[ lĭk′wĭd ]

One of four main states of matter, composed of molecules that can move about in a substance but are bound loosely together by intramolecular forces. Unlike a solid, a liquid has no fixed shape, but instead has a characteristic readiness to flow and therefore takes on the shape of any container. Because pressure transmitted at one point is passed on to other points, a liquid usually has a volume that remains constant or changes only slightly under pressure, unlike a gas.

Cultural definitions for liquid

liquid

A phase of matter in which atoms or molecules can move freely while remaining in contact with one another. A liquid takes the shape of its container. (Compare gas and solid.)

liquid

Origin of liquid

synonym study for liquid

OTHER WORDS FROM liquid

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH liquid

Words nearby liquid

Words related to liquid

How to use liquid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for liquid

Derived forms of liquid

Word Origin for liquid

Scientific definitions for liquid

Cultural definitions for liquid