flow

flowverb

To flow is to move smoothly and without stopping, like water in a river.

1. move alongmove along smoothly and without stopping, as a river does

   Used of liquids, gas, and electricity.

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The river flows through the middle of the town. V + adv/prep
   • Water was flowing under the door. V + adv/prep
   • Tears flowed down her face. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   verb + adverb flow freely, flow quickly, flow slowly

   verb + preposition flow into something, flow through something, flow down something

   Synonyms run

   Compare empty

2. people or trafficmove in large numbers, one after another, without stopping

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Traffic was flowing smoothly on the main road. V + adv/prep
   • People flowed out of the stadium after the game. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   noun + verb traffic flows

   verb + preposition flow out of something, flow into something, flow through something

3. ideas or wordsbe produced easily and without stopping

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The conversation flowed easily all evening. V + adv/prep
   • Once she started writing, the ideas began to flow.

   Collocations

   noun + verb conversation flows, ideas flow, words flow

4. be suppliedbe supplied or given freely and in large amounts

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The drinks flowed all night. V + adv/prep
   • Money flowed into the town when the factory opened. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   noun + verb money flows, drinks flow

5. hair or clothhang or move loosely and smoothly

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Her long hair flowed over her shoulders. V + adv/prep
   • The curtains flowed all the way to the floor. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   noun + verb hair flows

6. resultcome from something as a result

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] formal

   • Many benefits will flow from this decision. V + prep + obj
   • The problems flow from a lack of money. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition flow from something