fluid
FLOO-ihd
Fluid (noun) means a substance, such as a liquid or gas, that flows and takes the shape of its container. Example: “Water is a fluid, so it takes the shape of any jug.”
noun
1
A substance, such as a liquid or gas, that flows and takes the shape of its container.
"Water is a fluid, so it takes the shape of any jug."
"The nurse checked how much fluid the patient had taken during the afternoon."
"Make sure to drink plenty of fluids in hot weather."
adj
1
Changing easily or continuously; not fixed.
"The situation is still fluid, so the schedule may change again tomorrow."
"Her opinions were fluid, shifting with each new person she spoke to."
"Their travel plans stayed fluid right up until departure."
2
Moving smoothly and gracefully.
"The swimmer glided through the water with fluid, easy strokes."
"He writes in a fluid style that makes every page a pleasure to read."
"The dancer's fluid movements made the routine look effortless."
How to use fluid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that flows (a liquid or gas), or a plan/situation that can still change easily.
Common pairings
bodily fluid
fluid situation
fluid movement
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Word forms
- Plural
- fluids
- Comparative
- more fluid
- Superlative
- most fluid
Fill the gap
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Water is a _____, so it takes the shape of any jug.
Etymology
From Latin fluidus, "flowing," from fluere ("to flow"). Despite the resemblance, it is not directly related to the native English word "flow."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fluid
See all rhymes for fluid →Frequently asked questions
What does “fluid” mean?
The word “fluid” means a substance, such as a liquid or gas, that flows and takes the shape of its container. In plain terms, something that flows (a liquid or gas), or a plan/situation that can still change easily.
How do you pronounce “fluid”?
“Fluid” is pronounced FLOO-ihd (/ˈflu.ɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “fluid” in a sentence?
Here is “fluid” used in a sentence: “Make sure to drink plenty of fluids in hot weather.”
What is another word for “fluid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fluid” include liquid, variable, fluxive and runny.
What part of speech is “fluid”?
Depending on how it is used, “fluid” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “fluid” come from?
The word “fluid” comes from Latin. From Latin fluidus, "flowing," from fluere ("to flow"). Despite the resemblance, it is not directly related to the native English word "flow.".
Is “fluid” a common word?
“Fluid” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “fluid” have?
“Fluid” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance, such as a liquid or gas, that flows and takes the shape of its container.
What is the difference between a fluid and a liquid?
A fluid is any substance that flows and takes the shape of its container, which includes both liquids and gases. A liquid is just one kind of fluid. In short, every liquid is a fluid, but not every fluid is a liquid, since gases count too.
What is the difference between 'fluid' and 'fluent'?
'Fluid' means flowing, or changing easily and continuously without being fixed. 'Fluent' describes speaking or writing a language smoothly and easily. The words share a root sense of flowing but are not interchangeable.
When is 'fluid' used as an adjective instead of a noun?
As a noun, 'fluid' names a flowing substance, such as brake fluid or bodily fluids. As an adjective, it means changing easily or not fixed, as in 'a fluid situation' or 'fluid movements'. The surrounding sentence makes the intended sense clear.
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