flow

1 noun

1 MOVEMENT OF LIQUID (countable usually singular) a smooth steady movement or supply of liquid: Smoking affects the flow of blood to the brain.

2 SUPPLY/MOVEMENT (countable usually singular) a continuous supply or movement of something from one place to another

(+ of): the flow of arms into Bosnia

3 in full flow if someone is in full flow, they are busy talking about something and seem likely to continue for a long time

4 WORDS/IDEAS (U) the continuous stream of words or ideas when someone is speaking, writing, or thinking about something : break/interrupt sb's flow: You've interrupted my flow now - I don't know what I was going to say next.

5 OF THE SEA (singular) the movement of the tide 1 (1) towards the land: the ebb and flow of the tide

6 go with the flow to decide to do the same thing as other people, and not ask if you can do something different: I don't mind, I'll just go with the flow.

7 go against the flow to do something very different from what other people are doing

—see also: cash flow, ebb and flow ebb 1 (3) 2 verb (I)

1 LIQUID if a liquids flows, it moves in a steady continuous stream

(+ over/down/through etc): A great river flowed along the valley.

2 GOODS/INFORMATION/PEOPLE ETC if goods, information, people etc flow, they move or are supplied continuously in large numbers from one place to another

(+ in/out/through/from etc): Money has been flowing into the country from Western aid agencies.

3 TRAFFIC if traffic flows, it moves easily from one place to another

4 ALCOHOL if alcohol flows at a party, people drink a lot and there is a lot available : flow freely: The champagne flowed freely and everyone had a good time.

5 WORDS/IDEAS if conversation or ideas flow, people talk or have ideas steadily and continuously, without anything stopping or interrupting them : flow easily/freely: The wine loosened our tongues, and conversation flowed freely.

6 flow from to come from a particular idea, place, or person: the political wrangle that has flowed from this decision

7 FEELINGS if an emotion flows, someone feels it strongly

(+ through/into/from etc): Compassion for Mattie flowed through her.

8 CLOTHES/HAIR if clothing, hair etc flows, it falls or hangs loosely and gracefully

9 SEA if the tide 1 (1) flows, it moves towards the land

—compare ebb 2 (1)