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

Heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump blood as well as it should, resulting in decreased blood flow to organs and fluid buildup in the lungs and other tissues.

From Science Daily

John Andrews, MD, a resident in neurosurgery, placed the tissue on a nutrient medium that resembles the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain.

From Science Daily

Colloid cysts typically form in a fluid-filled cavity in the centre of the brain, and are themselves filled with fluid, the Brains Trust says.

From BBC

Geometric order and water’s fluid movement were special fascinations.

From Los Angeles Times

A social construct that we created to inventory passing days in a way that would best make sense to us when time, in and of itself, is more fluid.

From Salon

Related Words

• broth
• juice
• vapor