ENGLISH
REFERENCE

liquid

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɫɪkwəd// UK //lˈɪkwɪd// liq·uid General-service

n. a substance that flows freely like water and is not a solid or a gas. In business, it can also mean money that you can use or spend immediately.

n. a substance that flows freely but is of constant volume, having a consistency like that of water or oil. In a financial context, it refers to assets that are held in cash or can be converted to cash quickly.


SIMPLE

Be careful not to spill that blue liquid on the carpet.

CONTEXTUAL

The company needs to keep enough liquid on hand to pay its employees and suppliers every month.

COMPLEX

While the firm holds significant real estate, it lacks the liquid necessary to settle its immediate debts without selling off property at a loss.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English liquide, from Old French liquide, from Latin liquidus (“fluid, liquid, moist”), from liqueō (“to be liquid, be fluid”). Doublet of liquidus. As a term for a consonant, it comes from Latin liquida (cōnsōnāns), a calque of Ancient Greek ὑγρὸν (σύμφωνον) (hugròn (súmphōnon), “liquid consonant”).

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the state of matter; countable when referring to specific types or varieties of fluids.

Idioms1 entry

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