First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1flow
verb \ˈflō\
of liquid, gas, or electricity : to move in a steady and continuous way
: to move in a continuous and smooth way
: to move, come, or go continuously in one direction
Full Definition of FLOW
intransitive verb
1
a (1) : to issue or move in a stream (2) : circulate b : to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles <molasses flows slowly>
2
: rise <the tide ebbs and flows>
3
: abound <a land flowing with natural resources>
4
a : to proceed smoothly and readily <conversation flowed easily> b : to have a smooth continuity
5
: to hang loose and billowing <her gown flowed around her>
6
: to derive from a source : come <the wealth that flows from trade>
7
: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocks
8
transitive verb
1
: to cause to flow
2
: to discharge in a flow
— flow·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb
See flow defined for English-language learners
See flow defined for kids
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Origin of FLOW
Middle English, from Old English flōwan; akin to Old High German flouwen to rinse, wash, Latin pluere to rain, Greek plein to sail, float
Synonym Discussion of FLOW
spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence. spring implies rapid or sudden emerging <an idea that springs to mind>. arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent <new questions have arisen> <slowly rose to prominence>. originate implies a definite source or starting point <the fire originated in the basement>. derive implies a prior existence in another form <the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast>. flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception <words flowed easily from her pen>. issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet <blood issued from the cut>. emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (as a thought) from a source <reports emanating from the capital>. proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause <advice that proceeds from the best of intentions>. stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development <industries stemming from space research>.
Rhymes with FLOW
beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, low, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, woe, yo
2flow
noun
: an act of flowing : the movement of something that is flowing
: a large area of mud or some other material that is flowing or that was formed by flowing
: the amount of something that flows in a certain time
Full Definition of FLOW
1
: an act of flowing
3
4
: the quantity that flows in a certain time <a gauge that measures fuel flow>
5
6
a : the motion characteristic of fluids b : a continuous transfer of energy
See flow defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FLOW
15th century
FLOW Defined for Kids
1flow
verb \ˈflō\
flowedflow·ing
Definition of FLOW for Kids
1
: to move in or as if in a stream <The river flows to the sea.> <She felt relief flow through her.>
2
: to glide along smoothly <Traffic is flowing on the highway.>
3
: to hang loose and waving <Her hair flowed down.>
2flow
noun
Definition of FLOW for Kids
1
: an act of moving in or as if in a stream <a flow of tears> <a flow of praise>
2
: the rise of the tide <the ebb and flow of the tide>
3
: a smooth even movement : stream <the flow of conversation> <a flow of information>
4
: an amount or mass of something moving in a stream <blood flow>
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