Flow: meaning, definitions and examples

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flow

 

[ fləʊ ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

in nature

The action or fact of moving along in a steady, continuous stream. It can refer to the movement of water in a river, the movement of air, or the movement of a large group of people.

Synonyms

current, movement, stream

Examples of usage

  • Watching the flow of the river was so peaceful.
  • The flow of traffic was heavy during rush hour.
  • She joined the flow of people heading towards the concert venue.
Context #2 | Verb

creative process

To move or proceed smoothly and continuously. It is often used in the context of creative activities, such as writing, painting, or improvising.

Synonyms

continue, move, proceed

Examples of usage

  • She let her thoughts flow onto the paper.
  • The artist allowed the paint to flow freely on the canvas.
  • During the performance, the musician let the music flow from her heart.

Translations

Translations of the word "flow" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fluxo

🇮🇳 प्रवाह

🇩🇪 Fluss

🇮🇩 aliran

🇺🇦 потік

🇵🇱 przepływ

🇯🇵 流れ (nagare)

🇫🇷 flux

🇪🇸 flujo

🇹🇷 akış

🇰🇷 흐름 (heuleum)

🇸🇦 تدفق

🇨🇿 tok

🇸🇰 prúd

🇨🇳 流动 (liúdòng)

🇸🇮 tok

🇮🇸 flæði

🇰🇿 ағыс

🇬🇪 დინება

🇦🇿 axın

🇲🇽 flujo

Etymology

The word 'flow' originated from the Old English word 'flowan' meaning 'to flow, stream, or gush'. Over time, it has evolved to encompass various meanings related to movement and continuity. The concept of flow has been explored in philosophy, psychology, and creative arts, highlighting its significance in understanding harmony and progress.

See also: flower, flowing, flowingly, inflow, outflow, overflow.

Word Frequency Rank

At #733 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.