verb
Uncommon
flush
FLUHSH
Flush (verb) means to clean by flooding with water, especially a toilet. Example: “Remember to flush the toilet after use.”
verb
1
To clean by flooding with water, especially a toilet.
"Remember to flush the toilet after use."
"The plumber showed us how to flush the pipes to clear the dirt."
"Please flush the cistern twice if the water level is low."
2
To turn red in the face from embarrassment, heat, or emotion.
"She flushed with embarrassment when she realized her mistake."
"His cheeks flushed when everyone started singing happy birthday to him."
"After the long run she flushed bright red in the warm room."
noun
1
A reddening of the face caused by embarrassment, heat, or excitement.
"A flush of pride spread across his face."
"A flush crept up her neck when the teacher called her name."
"The hot soup brought a healthy flush to the child's pale face."
2
In card games, a hand made up entirely of cards from the same suit.
"She won the round with a flush of hearts."
adj
1
Level or even with a surrounding surface.
"The cabinet doors were fitted flush with the wall."
"Make sure the new tiles sit flush with the floor so nobody trips."
"The window frame was flush against the brickwork, with no gap at all."
How to use flush
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly, to clean with a rush of water (a toilet), or to blush/redden, or (as an adjective) perfectly level.
Common pairings
flush the toilet
flush with excitement
flush against the wall
a royal flush
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Word forms
- Plural
- flushes
- Third person singular
- flushes
- Past tense
- flushed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Remember to _____ the toilet after use.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, first recorded in Middle English; possibly related to "flash" or a blend of "flow" and "gush."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for flush
See all rhymes for flush →Frequently asked questions
What does “flush” mean?
The word “flush” means to clean by flooding with water, especially a toilet. In plain terms, most commonly, to clean with a rush of water (a toilet), or to blush/redden, or (as an adjective) perfectly level.
How do you pronounce “flush”?
“Flush” is pronounced FLUHSH (/ˈflʌʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flush” in a sentence?
Here is “flush” used in a sentence: “Remember to flush the toilet after use.”
What part of speech is “flush”?
Depending on how it is used, “flush” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “flush” come from?
The word “flush” comes from Middle English. Of uncertain origin, first recorded in Middle English; possibly related to "flash" or a blend of "flow" and "gush.".
Is “flush” a common word?
“Flush” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “flush” have?
“Flush” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to clean by flooding with water, especially a toilet.
What is the difference between flush and blush?
Flush describes a reddening of the face caused by embarrassment, heat, or emotion in general, and can also refer to cleaning something by flooding it with water. Blush refers specifically to a reddening from embarrassment or shyness and does not carry flush's cleaning or card-game senses.
What does it mean when something is flush with a surface?
When something is described as flush, it means it is level or even with a surrounding surface, with no gap or protrusion. For example, a flush-mounted light fixture sits perfectly even with the ceiling.
What is a flush in card games?
In card games such as poker, a flush is a hand made up entirely of cards from the same suit, regardless of their rank. It is one of several standard hand rankings used to determine a winner.
When is flush used as a verb versus a noun?
As a verb, flush means to clean by flooding with water or to turn red in the face, as in "flush the toilet" or "he flushed with embarrassment." As a noun, flush refers to the reddening itself or, in card games, to a hand of same-suit cards.
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