fluid
/ˈfluːɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfluːɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflü-əd/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfluː.ɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfluː.ɪd/ (ame, ipa)
fluid — noun
- fluidsingular
- fluidsplural
1. any material like water, oil, air, or blood that can flow freely and takes the s
any material like water, oil, air, or blood that can flow freely and takes the shape of its container
A dark fluid leaked from the old engine onto the garage floor.
collocation: fluid + leak
Keiko wiped the sticky fluid from her fingers with a paper towel.
The mechanic told Arun the brake fluid needed changing that afternoon.
After running in the heat, Dmitri made sure to drink plenty of fluids.
Doctors measure the pressure of the fluid inside a patient's skull.
- solid
a substance with a fixed shape that does not flow
用法筆記
Often used in the plural 'fluids' when talking about drinks for health or recovery (e.g. 'drink plenty of fluids'). In scientific contexts, 'fluid' covers both liquids and gases.
常見錯誤
fluid — adjective
- fluidpositive
- more fluidcomparative
- most fluidsuperlative
1. graceful and unbroken in movement, like water running over smooth stones
graceful and unbroken in movement, like water running over smooth stones
Xiomara guided the brush across the paper in one fluid stroke.
collocation: fluid stroke
The heron rose from the water with a slow, fluid motion.
A good translator makes the switch between languages feel fluid and natural.
Thandiwe's fingers moved across the piano keys with fluid ease.
The dancer's body curved into a fluid shape and held the pose.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense adj/3 (ABLE TO FLOW): sense adj/1 describes the graceful quality of movement or style; sense adj/3 describes the physical property of a substance that can flow.
常見錯誤
2. likely to shift or be reshaped as conditions around it change, rather than stayi
likely to shift or be reshaped as conditions around it change, rather than staying settled
The deadline stayed fluid while the team waited for the client's reply.
collocation: deadline + fluid
Priyanka kept her travel dates fluid until the visa came through.
At the Rafah crossing, aid worker Samira warned families the situation remained fluid, with rules changing hourly.
At the small tech firm Nebula, Hana kept job titles fluid for the first six months.
Oluwaseun taped six layout sketches to the wall and kept the seating plan fluid until opening day.
- flexible
emphasizes the ability to bend or adapt; 'fluid' emphasizes that things are still shifting
- unsettled
suggests something not yet resolved; more temporary in feel than 'fluid'
- changeable
a more everyday word; 'fluid' sounds more formal and deliberate
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively for abstract things like situations, plans, deadlines, or roles — not for describing physical objects.
常見錯誤
3. able to run, drip, or pour because its tiny parts slide past one another easily
able to run, drip, or pour because its tiny parts slide past one another easily
The candle wax became fluid as the flame heated the pool around the wick.
verb + fluid: become fluid
Lava poured down the mountainside as a bright, fluid stream of rock.
Add the flour slowly and stir until the mixture is no longer fluid.
When the temperature inside the furnace rose, the solid metal turned fluid.
The honey sat in the sun and grew warm and fluid enough to pour.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense adj/1 (SMOOTH MOVEMENT): sense adj/3 describes a physical property of matter; sense adj/1 describes the quality of movement.
常見錯誤
4. able to be turned into cash quickly without losing much of its value
able to be turned into cash quickly without losing much of its value
Yara sold the shares because they were the most fluid part of her portfolio.
collocation: fluid part of portfolio
Fatima put the money into a savings account rather than property, wanting something more fluid.
When tech stocks tumbled, Mr. Okonkwo moved his pension into fluid assets he could sell in a day.
At Patagonia Outfitters, the CFO kept emergency funds in fluid investments she could sell overnight.
Ingrid asked the adviser which of her holdings counted as fluid.
- liquid
the more common financial term; 'fluid' is slightly less technical but means the same
- convertible
broader term — can be changed into another form, not necessarily cash
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in finance and business. The subject is always a financial asset (shares, bonds, accounts). 'Liquid' is the more common financial term with the same meaning.