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Glite Dictionary
🤝 Flowing together 🌊 A joining stream
confluent

confluent

8.4
A stream that flows into a larger river
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒnfluənt/
translation icon : afluente
  • The two confluents meet just north of the valley to form a larger river.

Examples

  • Several confluents add to the volume of the main river during the rainy season.

  • The confluent joined the main river near the town.

  • Each confluent contributes its own silt and minerals to the main flow.

  • Many confluents feed into the Amazon River.

  • The confluent flowed steadily into the larger river, bringing fresh water from the mountains.

  • During our hike, we discovered where the confluents joined to create a beautiful waterfall.

  • Fishermen often look for areas where confluents meet, as they attract more fish.

Synonyms

branch
vsconfluent
47 3.7

A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one

is the same meaning and can be used interchangeably here
tributary
vsconfluent
15 4.6

A smaller river that flows into a larger river or lake

has identical meaning and is used interchangeably in this sense
feeder
vsconfluent
1 4.9

A small stream that flows into a larger river

can refer to the same role but usually stresses smaller size
affluent
vsconfluent
  • Archaic
9.9

A stream that flows into a larger river

is the current common word rather than the older usage

How Big

river
∞ 1.0
confluent
8.4
brook
23 1.0
rivulet
5 7.7

Surface Forms

confluent singular
confluents plural

Etymology

Confluent for a stream that joins a larger one comes from Latin parts con- 'together' and fluere 'to flow', the same idea behind the simple word flow. So a confluent is a river that 'flows together' with a larger river.