FLOW


Meaning of FLOW in English

/ fləʊ; NAmE floʊ/ noun , verb

■ noun

[ C , usually sing. , U ]

CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT

1.

flow (of sth/sb) the steady and continuous movement of sth/sb in one direction :

She tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound.

an endless flow of refugees into the country

to improve traffic flow (= make it move faster)

to control the direction of flow

PRODUCTION / SUPPLY

2.

flow (of sth) the continuous production or supply of sth :

the flow of goods and services to remote areas

to encourage the free flow of information

data flow

—see also cash flow

OF SPEECH / WRITING

3.

continuous talk by sb :

You've interrupted my flow—I can't remember what I was saying.

As usual, Tom was in full flow .

4.

flow of sth the way that words and ideas are linked together in speech or writing :

Too many examples can interrupt the smooth flow of the text.

OF THE SEA

5.

the movement of the sea towards the land :

the ebb and flow of the tide

IDIOMS

- go with the flow

—more at ebb noun

■ verb

[ v ]

MOVE CONTINUOUSLY

1.

flow (back / down, etc.) | flow (into, through, etc. sth) ( of liquid, gas or electricity ) to move steadily and continuously in one direction :

It's here that the river flows down into the ocean.

Blood flowed from a cut on her head.

This can prevent air from flowing freely to the lungs.

She lost control and the tears began to flow.

2.

[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] ( of people or things ) to move or pass continuously from one place or person to another, especially in large numbers or amounts :

constant streams of traffic flowed past.

Election results flowed in throughout the night.

OF IDEAS / CONVERSATION

3.

to develop or be produced in an easy and natural way :

Conversation flowed freely throughout the meal.

BE AVAILABLE EASILY

4.

to be available easily and in large amounts :

It was obvious that money flowed freely in their family.

The party got livelier as the drink began to flow.

OF FEELING

5.

[+ adv. / prep. ] to be felt strongly by sb :

Fear and excitement suddenly flowed over me.

OF CLOTHES / HAIR

6.

flow (down / over sth) to hang loosely and freely :

Her hair flowed down over her shoulders.

long flowing skirts

OF THE SEA

7.

( of the tide in the sea / ocean ) to come in towards the land

OPP ebb verb

PHRASAL VERBS

- flow from sth

••

WORD ORIGIN

Old English flōwan , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloeien , also to flood .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.