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Glite Dictionary
🧑‍🔧 Melting solder 🔥 To melt again 📄 To rearrange layout
to reflow

to reflow

5.4
To change the layout of text and images so they fit a new screen or page
  • verb
  • /ˌriːˈfloʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reorganizar
  • When you change the document's size, the text will reflow to fit the new layout seamlessly.

Examples

  • Let me just reflow a few things.

  • Adjusting the window size causes the images and text to reflow appropriately for better readability.

  • To optimize the layout for mobile devices, make sure that the content reflows according to the screen size.

Synonyms

to recast
vsto reflow
9 5.6

Present an idea in a different form or style

keeps content but moves parts to fit a specific space
to refashion
vsto reflow
3 4.9

To change something into a new or different form

keeps original content but changes positions to fit new layouts
to reformat
vsto reflow
  • Specialized
3 3.6

To change the way a file is stored or arranged

adjusts element positions to make content fit a new space
to rejigger
vsto reflow
  • Informal
2 7.8

To change something a little so it works better

performs precise layout shifts to fit content into new sizes
restyle
vsto reflow
4.5

A change to the style or look of something, for example a car

focuses on exact placement so elements fit new formats
to relook
vsto reflow
5.1

To change the appearance or design to make it more modern

prioritizes technical resizing to match new display dimensions

How Extensive

recomposition
  • Specialized
7.7
to redraw
  • Specialized
1 3.7
to reflow
  • Specialized
5.4

Surface Forms

reflow infinitive
reflowed past
reflowed past participle
reflowing present participle
reflows third person singular

Morphology

reflow = flow (semi-transparent) = re + flow

The prefix 're-' and base 'flow' are recognizable, but the specific digital-publishing sense 'adjust layout to fit a new format' is specialized rather than a fully literal everyday meaning.

Etymology

Reflow comes from the parts re- 'again' and flow 'move like a liquid', and a helpful image is to think of words as a soft liquid. So when a page or app 'reflows' text, the words 'flow' again to fit the new screen or layout.