# viscosity

/vɪˈskɑsəti/ (US) · /vɪskˈɒsɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/viscosity
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. thickness of a liquid

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the quality of being thick, sticky, and slow to flow.

For teachers: the state or quality of being viscous; the degree to which a fluid resists flow due to internal friction.

- Honey has a much higher viscosity than water, so it pours more slowly.
- Engineers must carefully monitor the viscosity of the motor oil to ensure it remains effective at high temperatures.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general property of a substance.

### 2. a measurement of flow resistance

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific measurement of how much a liquid resists moving.

For teachers: a quantitative measure of a fluid's resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress.

- The lab report listed the exact viscosity of the new chemical at room temperature.
- The experiment required precise calculations of the fluid's dynamic viscosity to predict its behavior under pressure.

Usage: Countable when referring to specific numerical values or different types of measurements.

### 3. social persistence

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

a person's tendency to keep a conversation or meeting going for a long time.

For teachers: a psychological tendency to prolong interpersonal encounters or difficulty in shifting from one social interaction to another.

- The doctor noted the patient's social viscosity during their long, repetitive conversation.
- In clinical psychology, social viscosity may be observed in patients who struggle to recognize social cues indicating the end of an interaction.

## Examples

- Honey has a much higher viscosity than water.
- Engineers must choose a motor oil with the correct viscosity to ensure the engine parts remain lubricated in cold weather.
- The experiment demonstrated that as the temperature of the polymer solution increases, its viscosity decreases, allowing it to pass through the narrow glass tubing with significantly less resistance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.