fluid

[ floo-id ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

/ 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

fluid

1. In physics , a substance that flows — usually a liquid or a gas .

Derived Forms

• ˈfluidal, adjective
• ˈfluidness, noun
• ˈfluidly, adverb

Other Words From

• fluid·al adjective
• fluid·ly fluid·al·ly adverb
• fluid·ness noun
• non·fluid noun
• non·fluid·ly adverb
• un·fluid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluid¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin fluidus, equivalent to flu(ere) “to flow” + -idus adjective suffix; -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluid¹

C15: from Latin fluidus , from fluere to flow

Synonym Study

See liquid.

Example Sentences

James Gilmartin from Manchester has nine-month old twins, one of whom was born with fluid on the lung.

From BBC

Not only did the PA leave an abdominal drain - used to remove excess fluid from her body - in for 15 hours longer than permitted, but he also told colleagues to clamp it, increasing the risk of infection.

From BBC

She doesn’t find much if anything to like about the field, which she sees as a hive of people aiming to take advantage of the innocent and unwary — the facetious subtitle of her Web3 website calls it “definitely not an enormous grift that’s pouring lighter fluid on our already smoldering planet.”

From Los Angeles Times

Trainers coach clients on how to keep their breathing open and fluid while they lift.

From Los Angeles Times

He views the shift as “fluid,” pointing to modern politics’ departure from grassroots structures that once fostered a sense of belonging.

From Slate

Related Words

• broth
• juice
• vapor