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flow

n. · v.
US //ˈfɫoʊ// UK //flˈəʊ// flow
  1. 1 movement of liquid or things (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the steady and continuous movement of a liquid, or of a large number of people or things.

    the continuous and steady movement of a fluid or a collective mass of entities, such as vehicles or pedestrians.

    Example

    The dam was built to control the flow of water from the mountains.

    Example

    Urban planners analyzed the flow of traffic through the intersection to determine where to install the new pedestrian crossings.
  2. 2 smoothness of speech or ideas (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the smooth and natural way that speech, writing, or music moves along.

    the quality of continuity and rhythmic smoothness in communication or artistic expression.

    Example

    The editor improved the flow of the article by moving the second paragraph.

    Example

    The speaker's natural flow was interrupted by frequent technical glitches with the presentation software.
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  1. 3 mental focus (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Psychology

    a state of mind where you are so focused on what you are doing that you forget about time.

    a psychological state of total immersion and high productivity in an activity, often termed 'optimal experience'.

    Example

    I was in a state of flow and finished the whole painting in one afternoon.

    Example

    Achieving a state of flow during complex coding tasks can significantly increase a developer's daily output and job satisfaction.
  2. 4 software/process steps (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    the order of steps or screens a user follows in a computer program.

    the logical sequence of operations or user interactions within a software application or business process.

    Example

    We need to simplify the checkout flow so customers can buy items faster.

    Example

    The system architecture ensures that the data flow between the server and the client remains encrypted at all times.
  3. 5 rapping skill (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang Music

    the ability to rap smoothly and keep a good rhythm with the beat.

    the rhythmic and lyrical delivery of a rapper in relation to the underlying beat.

    Example

    The crowd loved the artist's fast flow and clever lyrics.

    Example

    Critics praised the album for its innovative flow, noting how the artist shifted rhythms effortlessly across different tempos.
  4. 6 to move steadily (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to move steadily and continuously in one direction, like water.

    to move in a stream or as a fluid; to circulate or proceed continuously.

    Example

    Rivers flow into the sea because of the pull of gravity.

    Example

    Blood flows through the veins to deliver oxygen to every part of the human body.
  5. 7 to hang loosely (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    to hang or fall loosely and gracefully, like long hair or a dress.

    to hang or drape in a loose, graceful, or undulating manner.

    Example

    Her long silk dress seemed to flow as she walked across the stage.

    Example

    The banners flowed in the wind, their bright colors visible from miles across the valley.
Etymology 1

From Middle English flowe, from the verb (see below). The psychology sense “state of focus” was coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in 1975.

Etymology 2

From Middle English flowen, from Old English flōwan (“to flow”), from Proto-West Germanic flōan, from Proto-Germanic flōaną (“to flow”), from Proto-Indo-European plōw-, lengthened o-grade form of plew- (“to fly, flow, run”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian flouje (“to flow”), West Frisian floeie (“to flow”), Dutch vloeien (“to flow”), Norwegian flo (“to flow”). Compare also English float. Not cognate with Latin fluō despite similarity.

Etymology 3

Uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse flói (“a large bay, firth”), see floe. Compare Scots flow (“peat-bog, marsh”), Icelandic flói (“marshy ground”).

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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