noun
flue
floo
Flue (noun) means a pipe or duct that carries smoke or hot gases away from a fire, furnace, or boiler. Example: “A blocked chimney flue can cause smoke to fill the room.”
noun
1
A pipe or duct that carries smoke or hot gases away from a fire, furnace, or boiler.
"A blocked chimney flue can cause smoke to fill the room."
How to use flue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pipe or channel that carries smoke and fumes safely out of a building.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "flu" (the illness) — completely unrelated despite sounding the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
chimney flue
flue pipe
blocked flue
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Word forms
- Plural
- flues
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A blocked chimney _____ can cause smoke to fill the room.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in Middle English; possibly linked to an Old English word for "flow."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for flue
See all rhymes for flue →Frequently asked questions
What does “flue” mean?
The word “flue” means a pipe or duct that carries smoke or hot gases away from a fire, furnace, or boiler. In plain terms, the pipe or channel that carries smoke and fumes safely out of a building.
How do you pronounce “flue”?
“Flue” is pronounced floo (/fluː/ in IPA).
How do you use “flue” in a sentence?
Here is “flue” used in a sentence: “A blocked chimney flue can cause smoke to fill the room.”
What part of speech is “flue”?
“Flue” is a noun.
Where does the word “flue” come from?
The word “flue” comes from Old English. Origin uncertain, first recorded in Middle English; possibly linked to an Old English word for "flow.".
