liquid
LIHK-wihd
Liquid (noun) means a substance, such as water, that flows freely and takes the shape of its container without a fixed shape of its own. Example: “The liquid spilled across the counter before she could catch it.”
noun
1
A substance, such as water, that flows freely and takes the shape of its container without a fixed shape of its own.
"The liquid spilled across the counter before she could catch it."
"Pour the liquid slowly into the jug so that nothing splashes out."
"Soup is mostly liquid, so a bowl is better than a plate."
adj
1
Able to flow like water; not solid or gaseous.
"Ice turns liquid when you leave it in a warm room."
"Pour the liquid honey slowly over the warm pancakes."
"The metal turns liquid at extremely high temperatures."
2
Of assets: easily converted into cash.
"The company kept enough liquid assets to cover emergencies."
"Cash and savings are liquid, but a house is much harder to sell quickly."
"Investors prefer liquid assets because they can be sold quickly when needed."
How to use liquid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that flows like water, or, for money/assets, something quickly convertible to cash.
Common pairings
liquid assets
a liquid diet
turn liquid
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Word forms
- Plural
- liquids
- Comparative
- more liquid
- Superlative
- most liquid
Fill the gap
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The _____ spilled across the counter before she could catch it.
Etymology
From Latin liquidus ("fluid, clear"), from liquere ("to be fluid").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for liquid
See all rhymes for liquid →Frequently asked questions
What does “liquid” mean?
The word “liquid” means a substance, such as water, that flows freely and takes the shape of its container without a fixed shape of its own. In plain terms, something that flows like water, or, for money/assets, something quickly convertible to cash.
How do you pronounce “liquid”?
“Liquid” is pronounced LIHK-wihd (/ˈlɪk.wɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “liquid” in a sentence?
Here is “liquid” used in a sentence: “The liquid spilled across the counter before she could catch it.”
What is another word for “liquid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “liquid” include fluid and fluxive.
What is the opposite of “liquid”?
The opposite of “liquid” — its antonyms — are gas, solid, illiquid and gaseous.
What part of speech is “liquid”?
Depending on how it is used, “liquid” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “liquid” come from?
The word “liquid” comes from Latin. From Latin liquidus ("fluid, clear"), from liquere ("to be fluid").
Is “liquid” a common word?
“Liquid” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between liquid and fluid?
Every liquid is a fluid, but not every fluid is a liquid. A fluid is any substance that flows, which includes gases as well as liquids, while a liquid specifically flows freely and takes the shape of its container without expanding to fill it the way a gas does.
What is the difference between a liquid, a solid, and a gas?
A solid keeps its own fixed shape; a liquid flows freely and takes the shape of its container while keeping a fixed volume; a gas has neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume and expands to fill whatever space it is in. These are the three everyday states of matter.
Is it correct to say liquid water?
Yes, when the state of the water matters. "Liquid water" distinguishes flowing water from ice (solid) and water vapour (gas), which is why the phrase is standard in science writing, such as discussions of whether a planet could hold liquid water.
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