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flow

When used as a noun to describe water or air, 'flow' is often uncountable (e.g., 'the flow of traffic'). However, it can be countable when referring to specific instances or types of movement. In modern psychology and creative contexts, 'flow' refers to a mental state. In this sense, it is almost always used as an uncountable noun preceded by the article 'a' (e.g., 'in a state of flow'). As a verb, 'flow' is primarily intransitive (it doesn't need an object). While it can be used transitively to describe directing a liquid, this usage is less common than the intransitive form.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon; Sarah is working from home while David is in a series of back-to-back meetings.
David Smith

Hey, just checking in. Are you in the flow with those mockups?

David Smith
Sarah
Sarah

I was until you pinged me. Now I'm just burnt out.

💡
David uses 'flow' to refer to the state of focused concentration (definition 4). Sarah responds with 'burnt out', a common idiom for extreme exhaustion, highlighting her resentment toward David's interruptions.

Meanings

verb (intransitive)

To move steadily and continuously in a current or stream.

"The river flows into the Atlantic Ocean."

verb (transitive)

To cause something to move in a steady, continuous stream.

"She managed to flow the liquid into the narrow vase without spilling."

noun

The action or fact of moving in a steady, continuous stream.

"The gentle flow of the stream was soothing to hear."

noun

A state of focused concentration or complete absorption in an activity.

"The artist entered a state of flow and painted for ten hours straight."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error