liquid
/ˈlɪkwɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪkwɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈli-kwəd/ (ame, mw) · /ˈlɪk.wɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪk.wɪd/ (ame, ipa)
liquid — noun
- liquidsingular
- liquidsplural
1. a material such as water or oil that you can pour and that takes the shape of wh
a material such as water or oil that you can pour and that takes the shape of whatever container it is in, unlike a solid which keeps a fixed shape or a gas which spreads to fill a room
Omar spilled a clear liquid on the kitchen floor while cleaning the counter.
The nurse told Jin to drink more liquid after his surgery to stay hydrated.
collocation: drink liquid
Jessica poured the hot liquid from the pot carefully into the ceramic mug.
When Meera opened the jar, a thick sticky liquid slowly dripped out.
The doctor advised Emma to rest and drink plenty of liquid to fight the fever.
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general idea of a liquid substance. Used as a countable noun when referring to specific types (e.g., 'oils and other liquids').
常見錯誤
2. a speech sound made by partly closing the mouth with the tongue so that air flow
a speech sound made by partly closing the mouth with the tongue so that air flows around the sides of the tongue, such as the sounds 'l' and 'r' in English
Manuela learned in her phonetics class that 'l' and 'r' are liquid consonants.
grammar: 'liquid' used before 'consonants'
Christopher struggled to pronounce the liquid sound at the start of the word 'rainbow'.
Students in class said 'yellow' to feel the liquid sound on the tongue.
Wren practiced the liquid consonant in 'lake' by holding her tongue against her palate.
- liquid consonant
the full form of the term
- stop consonant
a consonant where airflow is fully blocked, such as 'p', 'b', 't', 'd'
- plosive
a sound produced by stopping airflow then releasing it suddenly
用法筆記
This is a technical linguistic term. Most English learners do not need to learn it — it is mainly used by language teachers and speech therapists to describe how 'l' and 'r' sounds are produced.
liquid — adjective
- liquidpositive
- more liquidcomparative
- most liquidsuperlative
1. having a physical form that flows and is neither a solid nor a gas; able to be p
having a physical form that flows and is neither a solid nor a gas; able to be poured
The medicine is available in liquid form for children who cannot swallow pills.
collocation: in liquid form
Omar added liquid soap to the washing machine before starting the cycle.
Liquid fertilizer helps the tomato plants grow faster than the dry kind.
The recipe called for two cups of liquid honey, not the crystallized kind.
用法筆記
This is the most common adjective meaning of 'liquid.' It contrasts directly with 'solid' (having a fixed shape) and 'gaseous' (expanding to fill any container).
常見錯誤
2. very clear and bright in appearance, like clean water; used especially to descri
very clear and bright in appearance, like clean water; used especially to describe eyes, gemstones, or a reflective surface
The baby's liquid blue eyes were so bright they seemed to glow.
collocation: liquid eyes
Elise gazed at the lake's liquid surface, so clear she could see the bottom.
The liquid gaze of the portrait seemed to follow Ilan around the room.
Sari's diamond earrings had a liquid sparkle under the restaurant lights.
- clear
simpler and more common; less poetic
- limpid
formal and literary, suggesting total transparency
- crystalline
suggests the sparkle and clarity of crystal
用法筆記
Primarily used in literary or descriptive contexts. The most common use is 'liquid eyes' to describe eyes that are exceptionally clear, bright, and often slightly wet-looking.
3. relating to money or assets that can be quickly and easily changed into cash wit
relating to money or assets that can be quickly and easily changed into cash without losing value
Jessica kept some of her savings as liquid assets in case of an emergency.
collocation: liquid assets
The company needs more liquid funds to pay its employees this month.
collocation: liquid funds
A savings account is more liquid than property because you can get cash quickly.
Omar decided to invest in more liquid stocks that he could sell at any time.
- convertible
can be changed into another form, not limited to cash
- negotiable
can be transferred or exchanged for value
- available
simpler word, less specific to finance
用法筆記
Used mainly in financial and business contexts. Typical nouns that follow 'liquid' in this sense are 'assets,' 'funds,' 'capital,' and 'investments.' The opposite is 'illiquid' or 'frozen' — assets that are hard to sell quickly.
常見錯誤
4. involving smooth, flowing, and unbroken movement without pauses or stiffness, es
involving smooth, flowing, and unbroken movement without pauses or stiffness, especially in dance, gymnastics, or martial arts
The dancer's liquid movements amazed the audience during the performance.
collocation: liquid movements
Wren combined the martial arts poses in one liquid motion without stopping.
collocation: liquid motion
The gymnast showed liquid grace as she moved from one pose to the next.
Jin admired the liquid flow of the tai chi master's arm movements.
用法筆記
Often used to describe dance, martial arts, gymnastics, or any performance where the body moves without visible breaks or effort. The word suggests both smoothness and beauty of motion.
5. having a smooth, flowing sound quality that is pleasant to listen to, without ha
having a smooth, flowing sound quality that is pleasant to listen to, without harsh or rough notes; used about a voice, singing, or musical instruments
The singer's liquid voice filled the concert hall with warmth and beauty.
collocation: liquid voice
Christopher played a liquid melody on the guitar that calmed everyone in the room.
collocation: liquid melody
Meera's liquid tones made the poem more beautiful when she read it aloud.
The liquid notes of the flute floated softly through the evening air.
- mellifluous
formal, suggests a honey-like sweetness of sound
- dulcet
formal and old-fashioned; sweet and soothing
- smooth
simpler and more common; lacks the poetic quality
用法筆記
This is a literary or descriptive use. It appears most often in reviews of music, poetry, or performances. It combines the ideas of smoothness, sweetness, and an almost watery purity of sound.