flow
gb/flˈoʊ/ us/flˈoʊ/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Move like a liquid in one direction
To move in a smooth, steady way, like water in a river.
Usage pattern:
[something] flows [somewhere]
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.
Synonyms
run (Often used for liquids like rivers; slightly more informal in some contexts.)
Antonyms
stop (Indicates the complete end of movement.)
Collocations
flow freely
|flow steadily
|flow into
|flow from
|flow through
Themes
nature
|daily life
|science
Examples
- The river flows through the valley.
- Traffic flowed smoothly after the accident was cleared.
- 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.
- The river flows to the sea.
- Blood flows in our bodies.
- Air flows into the room from the window.
Noun
A2
event
2
Continuous movement of liquid or gas
The steady movement of something like water, air, or blood.
Usage pattern:
the flow of [something]
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.
Synonyms
stream (Can refer to water specifically or figuratively to data or other items.)
Antonyms
blockage (A stoppage that prevents movement.)
Collocations
water flow
|air flow
|blood flow
|flow rate
Themes
nature
|science
Examples
- The dam controls the flow of water into the city.
- Doctors measured the patient's blood flow.
- The engineers improved the airflow in the building.
Learner examples
- The flow of water is strong.
- We can feel the flow of air from the fan.
- The doctor checked my blood flow.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Smooth continuous progress or rhythm
A steady and smooth way something moves or happens.
Usage pattern:
the flow of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flow' with 'speed'; 'flow' refers to smoothness and continuity, not just how fast something moves.
Synonyms
progression (Focuses on forward development rather than smoothness alone.)
Antonyms
interruption (Breaks the smooth continuity.)
Collocations
conversation flow
|workflow
|traffic flow
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The conversation had a natural flow.
- We need to improve the workflow to save time.
- The traffic flow was disrupted by roadworks.
Learner examples
- The meeting had a good flow.
- The traffic flow is slow today.
- We want a better flow in our work.
Verb
B1
action
4
Proceed smoothly without stops
To go on in a smooth way without stopping.
Usage pattern:
[something] flows [smoothly/naturally]
Common mistake:
Learners might overuse 'flow' for any kind of progress; it’s best for smooth, connected situations rather than just moving forward.
Synonyms
proceed (More formal and does not necessarily imply smoothness.)
Antonyms
halt (Means to stop completely.)
Collocations
flow naturally
|flow smoothly
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|work
Examples
- Ideas flowed easily during the brainstorming session.
- The music flowed seamlessly from one song to another.
- The story flows well from beginning to end.
Learner examples
- The talk flowed well.
- Our ideas flowed quickly in class.
- The story flows from start to end.
Noun
informal
B2
state
5
State of total focus and immersion
When you are doing something with full focus and enjoyment, and time seems to pass quickly.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with physical movement; here it refers to mental focus, not actual motion.
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.)
Collocations
in the flow
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- She was in a state of flow while painting for hours.
- Athletes often describe being in the flow during competitions.
- Coding put him into a deep flow state.
Learner examples
- I was in the flow when writing my story.
- He plays games in the flow for hours.
- She is in the flow when she paints.
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.