liquid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal, depending on context. 'Liquid assets' is a business/finance term. The physical state sense is general and technical.
Quick answer
What does “liquid” mean?
A substance that flows freely but is not a gas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A substance that flows freely but is not a gas; it has a fixed volume but no fixed shape.
In a state that allows assets to be easily sold or converted into cash; or, having a clear, flowing quality in speech or music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling and core definitions are identical. Financial term 'liquid assets' is universal.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equal frequency in scientific, everyday, and financial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “liquid” in a Sentence
[subject] + be + liquid[subject] + convert + [object] + into liquid[subject] + hold + [object] + in liquid formVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “liquid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company will liquidate its holdings.
- He was forced to liquidise the asset.
American English
- The company will liquidate its holdings.
- He was forced to liquidate the asset.
adverb
British English
- The metal flowed liquidly from the mould.
American English
- The metal flowed liquidly from the mold.
adjective
British English
- She has a very liquid singing voice.
- The investment is not considered liquid.
American English
- She has a very liquid singing voice.
- The investment is not considered liquid.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to cash or assets easily convertible to cash, e.g., 'The company maintains a high level of liquid reserves.'
Academic
Used in chemistry, physics, and economics to describe state of matter or asset convertibility.
Everyday
Commonly refers to drinks, water, cleaning products, or anything pourable.
Technical
Precise scientific term for a state of matter; in finance, a precise measure of solvency.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “liquid”
- Using 'liquid' as a countable noun for all instances (e.g., 'three liquids' is odd for drinks; 'three glasses of liquid' is better).
- Confusing 'liquid' (state) with 'fluid' (which includes gases in technical contexts).
- Misspelling as 'liqued' or 'likwid'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
All liquids are fluids, but not all fluids are liquids. 'Fluid' is a broader term that includes both liquids and gases, as both can flow. In everyday language, they are often used interchangeably.
Not directly. The related verb is 'liquidate', which means to convert assets into cash or to wind up a company's affairs.
It is usually uncountable when referring to the substance ('Add some liquid'). It can be countable when referring to types or specific quantities of liquid ('Different cleaning liquids', 'a glass of liquid').
A diet consisting only of foods that are liquid or become liquid at room temperature, often prescribed before medical procedures.
A substance that flows freely but is not a gas.
Liquid is usually neutral to formal, depending on context. 'liquid assets' is a business/finance term. the physical state sense is general and technical. in register.
Liquid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɪk.wɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɪk.wɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “liquid courage”
- “cash is liquid”
- “pour cold water on (idiom using liquid concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of LIQuid as something you can LIQuidly pour, like water. Both 'liquid' and 'liquidity' start with 'liqu-'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY/ASSETS ARE LIQUIDS (e.g., 'cash flow', 'frozen assets', 'liquidate'). TIME IS A LIQUID (e.g., 'time slips away').
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, what does 'liquid' primarily describe?