fluid

1 of 2

adjective

flu·​id ˈflü-əd How to pronounce fluid (audio)
Synonyms of fluidnext
1
a
: having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing
a long screw that forces the fluid chocolate through fine openings—Technical Survey
b
: subject to change or movement
boundaries became fluid
2
: characterized by or employing a smooth easy style
the ballerina's fluid movements
fluid recitation of his lines
3
a
: available for various uses
a fluid computer program
b
: liquid sense 4
fluid assets
fluidly adverb
fluidness noun

fluid

2 of 2

noun

: a substance (such as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container
fluidal
ˈflü-ə-dᵊl How to pronounce fluid (audio)
adjective
fluidally
ˈflü-ə-dᵊl-ē How to pronounce fluid (audio)
adverb
fluidlike
ˈflü-ə-dᵊl-ˌlīk How to pronounce fluid (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

Adjective

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of fluid in a Sentence

Adjective a substance in a fluid state warm the jam until it is fluid, then spread it over the cake Noun Please check the fluids in the car's engine. She needs to drink plenty of fluids. Fluid leaked from the car's engine. a bottle of yellow fluid
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
These things are always fluid, but that’s the current thought process. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024 The camera does too, with Paul Yee’s fluid cinematography lending the proceedings an immediacy befitting the life-or-death stakes. —Michael Nordine, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fluid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French or Latin; French fluide, from Latin fluidus, from fluere to flow; akin to Greek phlyzein to boil over

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluid was in 1603

Phrases Containing fluid

Dictionary Entries Near fluid

fluible

fluid

fluidal texture

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluid. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

fluid

1 of 2 adjective
flu·​id ˈflü-əd How to pronounce fluid (audio)
1
a
: capable of flowing like a liquid or gas
b
: likely or tending to change or move
2
: showing a smooth easy style
fluid movements
fluidly adverb
fluidness noun

fluid

2 of 2 noun
: a substance tending to flow or take the shape of its container
liquids and gases are fluids
fluidlike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce fluid (audio)
adjective
Etymology

Adjective

from French fluide or Latin fluidus, both meaning "fluid, able to flow," from Latin fluere "to flow" — related to affluent, fluent, flush entry 2, influence, superfluous

Medical Definition

fluid

1 of 2 adjective
flu·​id ˈflü-əd How to pronounce fluid (audio)
: having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing

fluid

2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container
specifically : one in the body of an animal or plant see cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid

More from Merriam-Webster on fluid

Nglish: Translation of fluid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fluid for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fluid

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