liquid
n. · adj.-
1 a fluid substance (n.) B1 Intermediate Sciencea substance that flows and can be poured, like water or oil.
a state of matter that flows freely but is of relatively fixed volume; it takes the shape of its container but resists compression.
ExampleBe careful not to spill any liquid on your new laptop.
ExampleThe chemist carefully transferred the volatile liquid into a sealed glass beaker to prevent evaporation during the experiment.
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2 flowing freely (adj.) B1 Intermediatein the form of a liquid rather than a solid or gas.
existing in a fluid physical state; neither solid nor gaseous.
ExampleThe volcano erupted, sending a river of liquid rock down the mountain.
ExampleThe substance remains liquid at room temperature but solidifies rapidly when exposed to even a slight drop in pressure.
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3 finance/assets (adj.) C1 Advanced Technical Financeeasy to turn into cash quickly.
consisting of cash or assets that can be converted into cash immediately without significant loss of value.
ExampleThe company kept some liquid assets available to pay for unexpected repairs.
ExampleIn a volatile market, investors prefer liquid assets that allow them to exit positions quickly if economic conditions deteriorate.
UsageOften used to describe assets, markets, or a company's financial health.
- illiquid
- frozen
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4 smooth sounds (adj.) C2 Proficiency Literaryclear, smooth, and pleasant to hear.
characterized by a smooth, flowing quality of sound; lacking harshness or abrupt transitions.
ExampleThe singer had a beautiful, liquid voice that filled the hall.
ExampleThe poet was celebrated for his liquid prose, which seemed to glide effortlessly from one metaphor to the next.
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”).