What does fluid mean?
Word: Fluid
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Fluid means a substance, such as water, oil or air, that flows freely and takes the shape of whatever holds it.
Synonyms: liquid
How do you spell fluid?
Syllables: flu - id
Tricky part: Nothing comes after the d. Fluide, with an extra e on the end, is a common slip.
Watch out for: fluide, fluidd
Memory tip: When you write fluid, let the pen stop dead on the d, like a tap turned off: no e drips out after it.
Fluid in a sentence
Example 1: Ms Garcia poured blue fluid into three different jars to show how it takes each jar's shape.
Example 2: Rahul topped up the windscreen washer fluid before the long drive.
Example 3: The bottle of correction fluid on Amara's desk had dried up completely.
Fun Fact
Scientists call gases fluids as well as liquids, because both can flow; the study of how they move is called fluid dynamics.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Probe
Fill both blanks of one of these words with 'u' and 'i', in that order. Which option gives the meaning of that word?
1. fl__ __d 2. spl__nd__d 3. v__v__d 4. r__p__d
a) very fine and impressive to look at
b) happening or moving very quickly
c) something that can be poured or can spread, with no fixed shape of its own
d) very bright and clear, like strong colours
Show answer
c) something that can be poured or can spread, with no fixed shape of its own. Only fluid takes u and i; rapid needs a and i, vivid i and i, splendid e and i.
Word Champ
Read the three statements and choose the correct option:
1. Cooking oil and fruit juice are both fluids. 2. The ice cubes in a freezer tray are a fluid. 3. Honey is a fluid, even though it pours slowly.
a) both 1 and 3 are correct
b) both 2 and 3 are correct
c) both 1 and 2 are correct
d) all three are correct
Show answer
a) both 1 and 3 are correct. Ice cubes keep their own shape and cannot be poured, while oil, juice and honey all flow.
Sound Check
In which word is 'u' pronounced differently?
a) fluid
b) ruby
c) flute
d) bucket
Show answer
d) bucket. Bucket has the short u of cup; the other three use the long 'oo' sound.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. fluid 2. ancient 3. noisy a. quiet b. solid c. modern
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. These are opposites: a fluid flows while a solid holds its shape, ancient things are old while modern ones are new, and noisy is the reverse of quiet.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A gymnast whose routine is fluid moves ___.
a) slowly, with long pauses in between
b) loudly, with heavy landings
c) stiffly, with sudden jerky stops
d) smoothly from one step to the next
Show answer
d) smoothly from one step to the next
2. If the plans for a school trip are still fluid, they are ___.
a) not fixed and may change
b) booked and paid for
c) kept secret from parents
d) pinned on the notice board
Show answer
a) not fixed and may change
