flow

/fləʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /floʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflō/ (ame, mw) · /fləʊ/ (ame, ipa)

flow — verb

  • flowpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • flows3rd person singular
  • flowing-ing form
  • flowedpast simple

1. to move steadily in a particular direction — used when talking about water, air,

1.動詞不及物A2
釋義

to move steadily in a particular direction — used when talking about water, air, electrical current, or traffic

例句

Warm water flowed from the kitchen tap into a large metal pot.

flow + from [source] + into [destination]

The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon and into the sea.

同義詞
  • run

    used for liquids in specific contexts e.g. 'the river runs' but more general

  • stream

    suggests a narrower, faster movement; also used for light or people

  • circulate

    implies movement through a closed system, like blood in the body

反義詞
  • stagnate

    to stop moving and become still or stale

  • block

    to stop movement, as in a blocked pipe

文法句型

flow + adverb/preposition of direction

用法筆記

Intransitive only — do not say 'the river flows water'. For the movement of traffic, people, or information, use the same pattern: flow + direction adverb/preposition.

常見錯誤

❌The pipe flows water into the tank.
✅Water flows from the pipe into the tank.
💡flow is intransitive; the moving substance is the subject, not the container.
❌The water is flowed through the hose.
✅The water flows through the hose.
💡flow does not take a passive form in this sense.

2. to keep coming or being produced steadily, without stopping — used about money,

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to keep coming or being produced steadily, without stopping — used about money, information, goods, or ideas

例句

Donations flowed in from all over Taiwan after the typhoon news spread.

money/information + flow in + from [source]

Emails from customers have been flowing all morning since the sale was announced.

同義詞
  • pour in

    stronger — suggests a much larger amount arriving quickly

  • stream

    similar but often suggests people rather than things

  • issue

    more formal, used for official documents or statements

反義詞
  • dry up

    to stop completely, as in 'donations dried up'

  • dwindle

    to gradually become fewer or smaller

文法句型

flow + in/from/into, e.g. 'donations flowed in'

flow + from + source

用法筆記

Subject is typically inanimate (donations, ideas, money, orders). The direction particle 'in' is common: 'flow in' for things arriving. Frequently used with 'from' to indicate the source.

常見錯誤

❌We flowed the products to customers.
✅Products flowed to customers.
💡flow is intransitive; do not use a direct object.

3. to fall or hang in a loose, graceful way, used about hair or clothing that moves

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to fall or hang in a loose, graceful way, used about hair or clothing that moves freely in the air or down the body

例句

Gabriela's long black hair flowed down her back in soft, shiny waves.

hair + flow down [body part] — common pattern for hair

The silk curtains flowed gently in the breeze from the open window.

同義詞
  • cascade

    more dramatic — suggests hair falling in stages like a waterfall

  • trail

    suggests something being pulled along behind, less elegant

  • hang

    neutral — does not carry the graceful movement of 'flow'

反義詞
  • stick

    to become fixed in place and not move freely

  • bunch up

    to gather in folds rather than hang smoothly

文法句型

flow + adverb of manner, e.g. 'flow down her back'

用法筆記

Subject is hair or fabric/clothing. Often paired with 'down' (flow down) for hair touching the body, or 'behind' for fabric trailing in motion. This sense has a positive tone — the hanging is attractive, not messy.

常見錯誤

❌The rope flowed from the window.
✅The scarf flowed from the window.
💡flow for hanging works only with soft, attractive materials (hair, silk, light fabric), not stiff objects.

flow — noun