flow
flow
/fləʊ/
continuous movement
1 the steady and continuous movement of something/somebody in one direction
the flow of an electric current
flow (of something) (from something) She tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound.
flow (of something) to something Exercise increases blood flow to the brain.
flow (of something) into something a constant flow of tourists into the region
flow (of something) through something a steady flow of traffic through the city
to improve traffic flow (= make it move faster)
to control the direction of flow
Cut back surrounding vegetation to increase light and air flow.
Collocations
adjective
verb + flow
flow + noun
preposition
against the flow
flow among
flow from…
phrases
in full flow
the rate of flow…
production/supply
2 the continuous production or supply of something
to encourage the free flow of information
efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs
We are looking to improve data flow by up to 50%.
flow of something to something the flow of goods and services to remote areas
of speech/writing
3 continuous talk by somebody
You've interrupted my flow—I can't remember what I was saying.
He kept up a flow of chatter.
As usual, Tom was in full flow (= talking confidently in a way that is hard to interrupt).
4 the way that words, ideas or themes are linked together in speech, writing or music
Too many examples can interrupt the smooth flow of the text.
I found it hard to follow the flow of the argument.
I liked the concerto for its natural flow.
of the sea
5 the movement of the sea towards the land
the ebb and flow of the tide
Idioms
flow
/fləʊ/
move continuously
1 intransitive (of liquid, gas or electricity) to move steadily and continuously in one direction She lost control and the tears began to flow.
+ adv./prep. It's here that the river flows down into the ocean.
Blood flowed from a cut on her head.
This can prevent air from flowing freely to the lungs.
the electric currents flowing through the cables
a fast-flowing stream
The Wei River flows east.
Collocations Dictionary
adverb
easilyeffortlesslyfreely…
verb + flow
seem tobegin tostart to…
preposition
acrossalongbetween…
phrases
ebb and flowflow in a… directionflow in the breeze…
2 intransitive (of people or things) to move or pass continuously from one place or person to another, especially in large numbers or amounts New orders are finally starting to flow.
+ adv./prep. Constant streams of traffic flowed past.
Election results flowed in throughout the night.
They examined the way in which information flowed between the firm’s 300 employees.
of ideas/conversation
3 intransitive to develop or be produced in an easy and natural way Conversation flowed freely throughout the meal.
We hope that the debate on this issue will continue to flow.
be available easily
It was obvious that money flowed freely in their family.
The party got livelier as the drink began to flow.
Wine and beer flowed freely.
of feeling
5 intransitive + adv./prep. to be felt strongly by somebody Fear and excitement suddenly flowed over me.
He envied the affection that flowed between the boy and the old man.
of clothes/hair
6 intransitive flow (down/over something) to hang loosely and freely Her hair flowed down over her shoulders.
long flowing skirts
Her long hair flowed in the wind as she ran.
of the sea
7 intransitive (of the tide in the sea/ocean) to come in towards the land The sea ebbed and flowed.
Word Origin
Old English flōwan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloeien, also to flood.