flow
gb/flˈoʊ/ us/flˈoʊ/
A2
Inglés
~ 2700
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A2
action
1
Move like a liquid in one direction
To move in a smooth, steady way, like water in a river.
Patrón de uso:
[something] flows [somewhere]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
run (Often used for liquids like rivers; slightly more informal in some contexts.)
Antónimos
stop (Indicates the complete end of movement.)
Colocaciones
flow freely
|flow steadily
|flow into
|flow from
|flow through
Temas
nature
|daily life
|science
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Sustantivo
A2
event
2
Continuous movement of liquid or gas
The steady movement of something like water, air, or blood.
Patrón de uso:
the flow of [something]
Error frecuente:
Some learners use 'flow' without an article when referring to a specific instance; remember to use 'the' when talking about a particular flow.
Sinónimos
stream (Can refer to water specifically or figuratively to data or other items.)
Antónimos
blockage (A stoppage that prevents movement.)
Colocaciones
water flow
|air flow
|blood flow
|flow rate
Temas
nature
|science
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The flow of water is strong.
- We can feel the flow of air from the fan.
- The doctor checked my blood flow.
Sustantivo
B1
entity
3
Smooth continuous progress or rhythm
A steady and smooth way something moves or happens.
Patrón de uso:
the flow of [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flow' with 'speed'; 'flow' refers to smoothness and continuity, not just how fast something moves.
Sinónimos
progression (Focuses on forward development rather than smoothness alone.)
Antónimos
interruption (Breaks the smooth continuity.)
Colocaciones
conversation flow
|workflow
|traffic flow
Temas
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- The conversation had a natural flow.
- We need to improve the workflow to save time.
- The traffic flow was disrupted by roadworks.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The meeting had a good flow.
- The traffic flow is slow today.
- We want a better flow in our work.
Verbo
B1
action
4
Proceed smoothly without stops
To go on in a smooth way without stopping.
Patrón de uso:
[something] flows [smoothly/naturally]
Error frecuente:
Learners might overuse 'flow' for any kind of progress; it’s best for smooth, connected situations rather than just moving forward.
Sinónimos
proceed (More formal and does not necessarily imply smoothness.)
Antónimos
halt (Means to stop completely.)
Colocaciones
flow naturally
|flow smoothly
Temas
daily life
|daily_life
|work
Ejemplos
- Ideas flowed easily during the brainstorming session.
- The music flowed seamlessly from one song to another.
- The story flows well from beginning to end.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The talk flowed well.
- Our ideas flowed quickly in class.
- The story flows from start to end.
Sustantivo
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.
Error frecuente:
Learners might confuse this with physical movement; here it refers to mental focus, not actual motion.
Sinónimos
zone ('In the zone' is an informal equivalent used in sports and creative work.)
Antónimos
distraction (Loss of focus and inability to stay engaged.)
Colocaciones
in the flow
Temas
psychology
|emotions
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
flow
AFI
GB/flˈoʊ/
US/flˈoʊ/
Sílabas y acento
flow (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (flow)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: flow
- Plural: flow, flows
Verb
- Base: flow
- 3rd Person Singular: flows
- Present Participle: flowing
- Past: flowed
Familia de palabras
Forms
flows
noun
flowing
verb
flowed
verb
Related words
overflow
verb B1
Advanced or less common
inflow
noun
outflow
noun
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- The party was in full flow when we arrived.
- Negotiations were already in full flow by Monday morning.