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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Flow Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：move steadily (flow)

flow 🔊

/floʊ/

To move steadily like a river or electricity.

Flow water moving smoothly over rocks in a stream

move steadily 🔊

➕

/muːv ˈstɛdɪli/

To move in a continuous, smooth manner, like water in a river or electrons in a circuit.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Old English flowan, from Proto-Germanic *flōwan; cognate with flood.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'F' for fluid, 'L' for liquid, 'O' for ocean, 'W' for wave.

📖 Example

After the rain, water began to flow from the roof into the gutters. 🔊 After the rain, water began to flow from the roof into the gutters.

🔗 Collocations

flow into – to move continuously into something

flow from – to originate or come out of something in a steady stream

flow smoothly – to move without interruption or turbulence

🔄 Synonyms

stream (v.) – To flow in a continuous stream, like water or liquid.

run (v.) – To flow freely, especially of a liquid.

pour (v.) – To flow rapidly and in large amounts.

🚫 Antonyms

stagnate (v.) – To stop flowing or become static, often with unpleasant consequences.

stop (v.) – To cease moving or flowing.

freeze (v.) – To become solid due to cold, halting movement.

🌱 Derivatives

outflow (n.) – The act of flowing out or the amount that flows out.

inflow (n.) – The act of flowing in or the amount that flows in.

overflow (v.) – To flow over the edges or limits of something.

📖 Cultural Story

From Proto-Indo-European *pleu- 'to flow, float', also source of flood. Used metaphorically since 14c. for smooth progression.

Meaning 2：happen smoothly (flow)

flow 🔊

/floʊ/

To happen smoothly without stopping.

Flow band performing smoothly on stage in sync

happen smoothly 🔊

➕

/ˈhæpən ˈsmuːðli/

To occur or progress without interruption or difficulty, in a natural and effortless way.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The concert flowed perfectly because the audience and the singer worked together so well. 🔊 The concert flowed perfectly because the audience and the singer worked together so well.

🔗 Collocations

flow through – to move smoothly and continuously through a process or system

flow with – to proceed in harmony with something

flow naturally – to happen without forced effort or interruption

🔄 Synonyms

proceed (v.) – To continue an action or process without stopping.

glide (v.) – To move smoothly and gracefully with little apparent effort.

roll (v.) – To happen or progress in a steady, uninterrupted way (informal).

🚫 Antonyms

disrupt (v.) – To interrupt the normal flow or progress of something.

halt (v.) – To stop completely, often abruptly.

stutter (v.) – To move or happen in a jerky, uneven manner.

🌱 Derivatives

flowing (adj.) – Moving smoothly and continuously; graceful.

flowingly (adv.) – In a smooth and uninterrupted manner.

outflow (n.) – The act of flowing out, especially in the context of resources or people.