ADJ
heavy, large, massive | good | adequate
poor
The poor blood flow to his leg caused numbness and tingling sensations.
main | increased, increasing | ceaseless, constant, continuous, endless
free, uninterrupted
Water moved in a free flow down the hillside after the heavy rain.
even, smooth, steady
The traffic moved at a steady flow along the highway during the morning rush hour.
easy, natural
The conversation between the two old friends felt easy and natural as it flowed from topic to topic.
outward
During rush hour, the outward flow of commuters from the city center was incredibly heavy.
annual, daily, seasonal | data, information | air, blood, gas, lava, menstrual, river, water | capital, cash, financial, investment, production, trade
VERB + FLOW
have
During summer, the river has a steady flow of water from the melting snow in the mountains.
get, obtain
Water got a steady flow through the garden hose after we cleared the blockage.
allow
The manager decided to allow better flow of communication between the two departments.
produce, provide
The new water pump produces a steady flow of clean water to every house in the village.
keep, maintain
The teacher maintained a steady flow of interesting questions throughout the lesson.
ensure
The new traffic system helps ensure a steady flow of vehicles through the city center.
control, regulate
assist, encourage, facilitate, stimulate
The new transportation system helped facilitate the flow of goods between the two cities.
enhance, improve, increase
Installing a new water system improved the flow of water through the old pipes.
disrupt, impede, reduce, restrict, slow (down)
The accident on the highway slowed down the flow of traffic for several hours.
block, break (up), cut (off), halt, interrupt, staunch, stem, stop
The government introduced new policies to stem the flow of illegal immigrants crossing the border.
divert
Traffic was diverted around the accident, so the normal flow of cars slowed considerably.
join | measure
FLOW + NOUN
rate
The doctor checked the flow rate of the IV drip to ensure the patient received the right amount of medicine.
chart, diagram
PREP
against the ~
It takes courage to work against the flow when everyone else agrees with the decision.
~ around/round
Water flowed around the rocks as the river rushed down the mountainside.
~ from
Blood was flowing from the wound on his arm.
~ into
Water from the melted snow flowed into the river below the mountain.
~ through
The river's flow through the valley has shaped the landscape over thousands of years.
PHRASES
changes in the flow
More tourists visit the museum during summer because of changes in the flow of visitors.
the ebb and flow
Over the years, she learned to accept the ebb and flow of her emotions without trying to control them.
the rate of flow
The doctor checked the rate of flow through the patient's IV line.
ADV
easily, freely, smoothly
The river flowed smoothly through the valley after the heavy rain stopped.
fast, swiftly
Blood flows swiftly through your arteries when you exercise.
slowly
naturally
The conversation flowed naturally once everyone relaxed and stopped worrying about making mistakes.
directly
The water flowed directly from the mountain spring into the village reservoir.
constantly, continuously | away, back, in, out, past
VERB + FLOW
seem to | begin to, start to
continue to
Even after the factory closed, orders continued to flow from loyal customers overseas.
PREP
across, along, between, down
Water flowed across the kitchen floor when the pipe burst this morning.
from
Water flowed from the broken pipe and flooded the basement.
into
Traffic flowed into the city center during the morning rush hour.
out of, over, through
Water flowed out of the broken pipe and flooded the kitchen.
to
Water flows to the sea through rivers and streams.