flow
gb/flˈoʊ/ us/flˈoʊ/
A2
English
~ 2700
folyik, áramlik, áramlás, menet, gördülékenység, gördülékenyen megy, könnyen jön, zökkenőmentesen átmegy, flow-állapot, flow, flow-élmény
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] flows [somewhere]
The river flows through the valley.
A folyó átfolyik a völgyön.
Traffic flowed smoothly after the accident was cleared.
A baleset helyszínének felszabadítása után a forgalom zavartalanul haladt.
Blood flows through the veins to carry oxygen around the body.
Lava flowed down the side of the volcano.
Tears flowed down her cheeks as she listened to the news.
Learner examples
The water flows into the lake.
A víz a tóba folyik.
The river flows to the sea.
A folyó a tengerbe folyik.
Blood flows in our bodies.
Air flows into the room from the window.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flow' with 'float'. 'Flow' is about movement of liquids or similar things, while 'float' means staying on top of a liquid without sinking.
Meaning
Move like a liquid in one direction
Collocations
flow freely
|flow steadily
|flow into
|flow from
|flow through
Synonyms
run (Often used for liquids like rivers; slightly more informal in some contexts.)
Antonyms
stop (Indicates the complete end of movement.)
Themes
nature
|daily life
|science
Definition
To move in a smooth, steady way, like water in a river.
To move smoothly and continuously in one direction, like a liquid or gas.
NOUN
A2
2
áramlás
B1
Usage pattern:
the flow of [something]
The dam controls the flow of water into the city.
A gát szabályozza a városba jutó víz áramlását.
Doctors measured the patient's blood flow.
Az orvosok megmérték a beteg véráramlását.
The engineers improved the airflow in the building.
Learner examples
The flow of water is strong.
Erős a víz áramlása.
We can feel the flow of air from the fan.
Érezzük a ventilátorból jövő levegő áramlását.
The doctor checked my blood flow.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'flow' without an article when referring to a specific instance; remember to use 'the' when talking about a particular flow.
Meaning
Continuous movement of liquid or gas
Collocations
water flow
|air flow
|blood flow
|flow rate
Synonyms
stream (Can refer to water specifically or figuratively to data or other items.)
Antonyms
blockage (A stoppage that prevents movement.)
Themes
nature
|science
Definition
The steady movement of something like water, air, or blood.
A steady, continuous movement of a liquid, gas, or other substance.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
the flow of [something]
The conversation had a natural flow.
A beszélgetés természetesen folyt.
We need to improve the workflow to save time.
Javítanunk kell a munkafolyamatot, hogy időt takarítsunk meg.
The traffic flow was disrupted by roadworks.
Learner examples
The meeting had a good flow.
A megbeszélés gördülékenyen zajlott.
The traffic flow is slow today.
Ma lassan halad a forgalom.
We want a better flow in our work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flow' with 'speed'; 'flow' refers to smoothness and continuity, not just how fast something moves.
Meaning
Smooth continuous progress or rhythm
Collocations
conversation flow
|workflow
|traffic flow
Synonyms
progression (Focuses on forward development rather than smoothness alone.)
Antonyms
interruption (Breaks the smooth continuity.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
A steady and smooth way something moves or happens.
A smooth and uninterrupted movement or progress of something.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
[something] flows [smoothly/naturally]
Ideas flowed easily during the brainstorming session.
Az ötletelés során könnyen jöttek az ötletek.
The music flowed seamlessly from one song to another.
A zene zökkenőmentesen ment át az egyik dalból a másikba.
The story flows well from beginning to end.
Learner examples
The talk flowed well.
A beszélgetés gördülékenyen ment.
Our ideas flowed quickly in class.
Az órán gyorsan jöttek az ötleteink.
The story flows from start to end.
Common mistake:
Learners might overuse 'flow' for any kind of progress; it’s best for smooth, connected situations rather than just moving forward.
Meaning
Proceed smoothly without stops
Collocations
flow naturally
|flow smoothly
Synonyms
proceed (More formal and does not necessarily imply smoothness.)
Antonyms
halt (Means to stop completely.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|work
Definition
To go on in a smooth way without stopping.
To continue or develop in a smooth and uninterrupted way.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
5
She was in a state of flow while painting for hours.
Flow-állapotban volt, miközben órákon át festett.
Athletes often describe being in the flow during competitions.
A sportolók gyakran úgy írják le, hogy verseny közben flow-ban vannak.
Coding put him into a deep flow state.
Learner examples
I was in the flow when writing my story.
Flow-ban voltam, amikor a történetemet írtam.
He plays games in the flow for hours.
Órákon át flow-ban van játék közben.
She is in the flow when she paints.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with physical movement; here it refers to mental focus, not actual motion.
Meaning
State of total focus and immersion
Collocations
in the flow
Synonyms
zone ('In the zone' is an informal equivalent used in sports and creative work.)
Antonyms
distraction (Loss of focus and inability to stay engaged.)
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
When you are doing something with full focus and enjoyment, and time seems to pass quickly.
A mental state in which a person is fully immersed and focused on an activity, often feeling enjoyment and losing track of time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
flow
IPA
GB/flˈoʊ/
US/flˈoʊ/
Syllables & stress
flow (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (flow)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: flow
- Plural: flow, flows
Verb
- Base: flow
- 3rd Person Singular: flows
- Present Participle: flowing
- Past: flowed
Word family
Forms
flows
noun
flowing
verb
flowed
verb
Related words
overflow
verb B1
Advanced or less common
inflow
noun
outflow
noun
Expressions
cash flow
1/kˈæʃ flˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
business
Movement of money in business/accounting
The amount of money coming in and going out of a business over time.
Examples
- We need to improve our cash flow this quarter.
- Poor cash flow can cause small businesses to fail.
creative flow
1/kɹiˈeɪtɪv flˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
Uninterrupted stream of creative ideas/output
When creative ideas come easily and continuously.
Examples
- She entered a creative flow and painted all night.
- Writers often seek ways to get into a creative flow.
ebb and flow
1/ˈɛb ˈænd flˈoʊ/
idiom
Regular rise and fall pattern over time
A repeated pattern where something increases and decreases over time.
Examples
- The ebb and flow of public opinion is hard to predict.
- Business has its ebb and flow throughout the year.
go with the flow
1/ɡˈoʊ wˈɪθ ðə flˈoʊ/
idiom
Accept things without resistance
To accept what happens and not try to change it.
Examples
- I didn’t plan much for my trip; I just went with the flow.
- Sometimes it’s less stressful to go with the flow than to fight every change.
in full flow
1/ˈɪn fˈʊl flˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
At peak activity or performance level
Happening at its highest level or speed at that moment.
Examples
- The party was in full flow when we arrived.
- Negotiations were already in full flow by Monday morning.