Skip to main content
to flow

to flow

21 2.0
To hang or fall in a smooth and graceful way
  • verb
  • /floʊ/
: caer
  • She's dressed in flowing white robes.
  • flowing hair
  • long flowing hair
  • wear a flowing dress

Examples

  • Mrs. Zinn greeted her at the door in a flowing skirt and blouse.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • His shirt was cadet blue; the pointed ends of his cravat flowed down over the front.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Do you see how the hair flows on the back?

  • A woman with long flowing hair.

  • See how his hair flows, though?

  • Well, see, I think the dress works cause it flows nice.

  • Should she tie it or leave it flowing open around her body?

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The way it flows would be perfect for the wood trim.

  • Her long black hair hung over square, thin shoulders revealed by a flowing green cotton dress.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Her hair flows gracefully down her back, catching the light as she moves.

Synonyms

to hang
vsto flow
50 2.0

To fall loosely, like cloth or hair

focuses on a smooth, graceful drop rather than mere loose arrangement
to sail
vsto flow
39 1.0

To move smoothly and easily through the air or over a surface

applies to hair or fabric that drapes smoothly and gracefully rather than gliding
to fall
vsto flow
16 2.6

Hang or flow loosely and smoothly in a pleasing way

is the same meaning but worded differently

Phrasal Verbs

33 3.4

To happen because of something that came before

27 2.9

Move or pour out in a steady stream, often a liquid

3 3.2

Water moves away slowly in a steady stream

2 3.2

To move away from a surface in a steady stream, like water does

Move with a river's current toward a lower place

Compounds

cash flow
  • Specialized
71 3.4

Money that comes into and goes out of a business or person during a period

flow rate
  • Specialized
9 3.6

The amount of liquid or gas that passes a point in one minute

air flow
  • Specialized
6 2.8

Movement of air through a space or system

5 3.4

A diagram that shows the steps and decisions in a process using boxes and arrows

work flow
  • Specialized
3 3.5

The order and speed that tasks are done at work

2 2.6

Air moving through a place or system

rate of flow
  • Specialized
2 3.7

How much liquid passes a point in a given time

laminar flow
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A liquid or gas moves in smooth layers that flow side by side with little mixing

flow sheet
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A diagram that shows the order of steps in a process, like a computer program or accounting system

turbulent flow
  • Specialized
1 7.9

Fast, changing movement of water or air that makes swirls

1 3.6

Movement of sea or river water caused by the rising and falling tides

flow diagram
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A diagram that shows the order of steps in a process like a computer program

menstrual flow
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Blood that comes from inside a woman's body each month during her period

flow meter
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A device that measures how much liquid or gas moves through a pipe

1 8.4

A fast loss of money that puts a company at risk

streamline flow
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A steady flow of a liquid or gas where speed stays the same at every point

axial flow turbine
  • Specialized
6.1

A machine with spinning blades that lets air or water flow along the shaft

7.2

A clean room where air moves in smooth parallel layers to keep tiny particles away during work like making microchips

A stream that never stops and cannot be controlled

How Graceful

to billow
24 5.3
to flow
21 2.0
to drape
50 4.3

Surface Forms

flow infinitive
flowed past
flowed past participle
flowing present participle
flows third person singular

Etymology

Flow comes from the old English flōwan, which pictured smooth running water, and that is why we say hair or fabric 'flows' when it hangs or moves in a smooth, graceful way like a gentle stream.