liquid

1 of 2

adjective

liq·​uid ˈli-kwəd 

1

: flowing freely like water

liquid detergent

2

: having the properties of a liquid : being neither solid nor gaseous

3

a

: shining and clear

large liquid eyes

b

: being musical and free of harshness in sound

the liquid song of the robin

c

: smooth and unconstrained in movement

the liquid grace of a ballerina

d

: articulated without friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel

a liquid consonant

4

a

: consisting of or capable of ready conversion into cash

liquid assets

b

: capable of covering current liabilities (see liability sense 2) quickly with current assets

liquidity

li-ˈkwi-də-tē 

noun

liquidly

ˈli-kwəd-lē 

adverb

liquidness noun

liquid

2 of 2

noun

1

: a liquid consonant

2

: a fluid (such as water) that has no independent shape but has a definite volume and does not expand indefinitely and that is only slightly compressible

Synonyms

Adjective

• flowing
• fluent
• fluid

Examples of liquid in a Sentence

Adjective

Water and milk are liquid substances.

The medicine is available in liquid form.

She had large liquid eyes.

the liquid notes of a bird

the liquid grace of the dancer's movements

Noun

Water and milk are liquids.

a bottle of green liquid

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Despite their assumption that the lake was frozen and devoid of organisms, ground-penetrating radar scans indicated the presence of liquid water underneath ice caps ranging between roughly 11 and 36 feet deep. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Dec. 2024

Catch up quick: Direct air capture (DAC) companies suck carbon dioxide directly from the air, often using a solid sorbent or liquid solvent. —Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

After the machine beeped, the pot was filled with a rich 75-degree-Fahrenheit liquid that barely melted the ice it was poured over, eschewing any bitter notes caused by shocking the brew in ice for a smooth cup with mild grassy notes and the beans' signature wine-y aftertaste. —Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

For example, aquafaba—the liquid from canned chickpeas—is often used as a vegan egg white substitute. —Christina Manian, Health, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Middle French liquide, from Latin liquidus, from liquēre to be fluid; akin to Latin lixa water, lye, and perhaps to Old Irish fliuch damp

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing liquid

• dishwashing liquid
• gas-liquid chromatography
• liquid crystal
• liquid crystal display
• liquid measure
• liquid refreshment
• washing-up liquid

Kids Definition

liquid

1 of 2 adjective

liq·​uid ˈlik-wəd 

1

: flowing freely like water

2

: neither solid nor gaseous

liquid mercury

3

: resembling liquid in clearness or smoothness

large liquid eyes

liquid notes of a bird

4

: capable of being pronounced without friction and longer than usual like a vowel

the liquid consonant \l\

5

: made up of or easily changed into cash

liquid assets

liquidity

lik-ˈwid-ət-ē 

noun

liquidly

ˈlik-wəd-lē 

adverb

liquid

2 of 2 noun

1

: a liquid consonant

2

: a liquid substance

Medical Definition

liquid

1 of 2 adjective

liq·​uid ˈlik-wəd 

1

: flowing freely like water

2

: having the properties of a liquid : being neither solid nor gaseous

liquid

2 of 2 noun

: a fluid (as water) that has no independent shape but has a definite volume and does not expand indefinitely and that is only slightly compressible

Legal Definition

liquid

adjective

liq·​uid

1

a

: consisting of cash or capable of ready conversion into cash

liquid assets

b

: capable of covering current liabilities out of current assets especially in a rapid manner

a liquid insurer

2

: of or relating to a security or commodity with enough shares or units outstanding to hinder significant price variation from large transactions