flow

noun

UK /fləʊ/

Word Forms

singular	flow
plural	flows

1
countable/uncountable the continuous movement of a liquid in one direction
drugs that improve blood flow around the body
flow of:
Leaves in the ditch were blocking the flow of water.
Synonyms and related words
Movements of water
course
current
down
1. 1a
  the continuous movement of a line of vehicles or people
  The new system should speed up the traffic flow.
  flow of:
  There was a steady flow of refugees leaving the country.
  Synonyms and related words
  Lines of people or their vehicles
  caravan
  chain
  column
2
countable/uncountable a supply of something that continues without stopping
Reducing tariffs is the key to developing a substantial trade flow.
the agency’s work flow
flow of:
News media provided a steady flow of information about the war.
Synonyms and related words
General words for numbers, amounts and quantities
accumulation
allocation
allowance
3
countable/uncountable a way of talking or thinking in an easy natural way, without any pauses or difficulties
flow of:
She kept up an easy flow of conversation throughout the journey.
The phone rang, interrupting the flow of his thoughts.
Synonyms and related words
Writing or speech style
academic writing
delivery
diction
4
singular the movement of the sea in towards the land
the ebb and flow of the tide
Synonyms and related words
Movements of water
course
current
down

phrases

go with the flow

in full flow

flow

noun

US /floʊ/

Word Forms

singular	flow
plural	flows

1
countable/uncountable the continuous movement of a liquid in one direction
drugs that improve blood flow around the body
flow of:
Leaves in the ditch were blocking the flow of water.
Synonyms and related words
Movements of water
course
current
down
1. 1a
  the continuous movement of a line of vehicles or people
  The new system should speed up the traffic flow.
  flow of:
  There was a steady flow of refugees leaving the country.
  Synonyms and related words
  Lines of people or their vehicles
  caravan
  chain
  column
2
countable/uncountable a supply of something that continues without stopping
Reducing tariffs is the key to developing a substantial trade flow.
the agency’s work flow
flow of:
News media provided a steady flow of information about the war.
Synonyms and related words
General words for numbers, amounts and quantities
accumulation
allocation
allowance
3
countable/uncountable a way of talking or thinking in an easy natural way, without any pauses or difficulties
flow of:
She kept up an easy flow of conversation throughout the flight.
The phone rang, interrupting the flow of his thoughts.
Synonyms and related words
Writing or speech style
academic writing
delivery
diction
4
singular the movement of the ocean in toward the land
the ebb and flow of the tide
Synonyms and related words
Movements of water
course
current
down

phrases

go with the flow

flow

verb intransitive

UK /fləʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	flow
he/she/it	flows
present participle	flowing
past tense	flowed
past participle	flowed

1
if a liquid flows, it moves smoothly and continuously in one direction
Her tears began to flow more freely.
flow through/around/from:
Hot water flows through the pipes.
Blood flowed from the wound on her face.
flow into:
The Sacramento River flows into San Francisco Bay.
Synonyms and related words
What liquids can do
break
burst
cast up
1. 1a
  if an electric current flows, it passes continuously through something
  Synonyms and related words
  Electricity and electrical power
  AC
  active
  alternating current
2. 1b
  if a line of people or vehicles flows, it moves steadily without stopping
  flow past/by/into:
  A constant stream of people flowed past.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
2
if a supply of something flows, it continues without stopping
We have to keep information flowing within the company.
flow into/from etc:
Millions of pounds of new investment are flowing into the region.
Synonyms and related words
To continue without stopping
latency
continue
last
3
if words or ideas flow, they follow each other in an easy, natural, continuous way
The conversation did not flow smoothly.
When I write, the words just flow from my pen.
Synonyms and related words
To continue without stopping
latency
continue
last
4
if a feeling flows through you, you suddenly feel it strongly
flow through/over/into:
Excitement and energy seemed to flow right through me.
Synonyms and related words
What feelings and emotions do
come over
return
run away with
5
if hair or clothing flows, it falls or moves in a smooth graceful way around someone’s body
Synonyms and related words
What clothing and cloth can do
bag
breathe
bunch
Synonyms and related words
What hair can do
flow
grey
grow out
6
informalif alcoholic drinks flow, people drink a lot of them
Champagne flowed freely all evening.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to or associated with drinking alcohol
AA
abuse
Al-Anon
7
if the tide flows, the sea comes in towards the land
Synonyms and related words
What liquids can do
break
burst
cast up

phrasal verbs

flow from

flow

verb intransitive

US /floʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	flow
he/she/it	flows
present participle	flowing
past tense	flowed
past participle	flowed

1
if a liquid flows, it moves smoothly and continuously in one direction
Her tears began to flow more freely.
flow through/around/from:
Hot water flows through the pipes.
Blood flowed from the wound on her face.
flow into:
The Sacramento River flows into San Francisco Bay.
Synonyms and related words
What liquids can do
break
burst
cast up
1. 1a
  if an electric current flows, it passes continuously through something
  Synonyms and related words
  Electricity and electrical power
  AC
  active
  alternating current
2. 1b
  if a line of people or vehicles flows, it moves steadily without stopping
  flow past/by/into:
  A constant stream of people flowed past.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
2
if a supply of something flows, it continues without stopping
We have to keep information flowing within the company.
flow into/from etc.:
Millions of dollars of new investment are flowing into the region.
Synonyms and related words
To continue without stopping
latency
continue
last
3
if words or ideas flow, they follow each other in an easy, natural, continuous way
The conversation did not flow smoothly.
When I write, the words just flow from my pen.
Synonyms and related words
To continue without stopping
latency
continue
last
4
if a feeling flows through you, you suddenly feel it strongly
flow through/over/into:
Excitement and energy seemed to flow right through me.
Synonyms and related words
What feelings and emotions do
color
come over
sweep over
5
if hair or clothing flows, it falls or moves in a smooth graceful way around someone’s body
Synonyms and related words
What clothing and cloth can do
bag
breathe
bunch
Synonyms and related words
What hair can do
flow
gray
grow out
6
informalif alcoholic drinks flow, people drink a lot of them
Champagne flowed freely all evening.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to or associated with drinking alcohol
AA
abuse
Al-Anon
7
if the tide flows, the ocean comes in toward the land
Synonyms and related words
What liquids can do
break
burst
cast up

phrasal verbs

flow from

flow ​‌‌‌

flow ​‌‌‌

flow ​‌‌

flow ​‌‌

flow

flow

flow

flow