2 VERB If a plant or animal flourishes , it grows well or is healthy because the conditions are right for it. □ [V ] The plant flourishes particularly well in slightly harsher climes. ● flour|ish|ing ADJ □ Britain has the largest and most flourishing fox population in Europe.
3 VERB If you flourish an object, you wave it about in a way that makes people notice it. □ [V n] He flourished the glass to emphasize the point. ● N‑COUNT Flourish is also a noun. □ He took his peaked cap from under his arm with a flourish and pulled it low over his eyes.
4 N‑COUNT If you do something with a flourish , you do in a showy way so that people notice it.
floury /flaʊə ri/
1 ADJ Something that is floury is covered with flour or tastes of flour. □ She wiped her floury hands on her apron. □ …floury scones.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Floury potatoes go soft round the edges and break up when they are cooked.
flout /flaʊ t/ (flouts , flouting , flouted ) VERB If you flout something such as a law, an order, or an accepted way of behaving, you deliberately do not obey it or follow it. □ [V n] …illegal campers who persist in flouting the law.
flow ◆◆◇ /floʊ / (flows , flowing , flowed )
1 VERB If a liquid, gas, or electrical current flows somewhere, it moves there steadily and continuously. □ [V adv/prep] A stream flowed gently down into the valley. □ [V adv/prep] The current flows into electric motors that drive the wheels. □ [V ] …compressor stations that keep the gas flowing. ● N‑VAR Flow is also a noun. □ It works only in the veins, where the blood flow is slower.
2 VERB If a number of people or things flow from one place to another, they move there steadily in large groups, usually without stopping. □ [V prep/adv] Large numbers of refugees continue to flow from the troubled region into the no-man's land. ● N‑VAR Flow is also a noun. □ [+ of ] She watched the frantic flow of cars and buses along the street.
3 VERB If information or money flows somewhere, it moves freely between people or organizations. □ [V prep/adv] A lot of this information flowed through other police departments. □ [V ] An interest rate reduction is needed to get more money flowing and create jobs. ● N‑VAR Flow is also a noun. □ …the opportunity to control the flow of information.
4 → see also cash flow
5 PHRASE Someone who is in full flow is talking easily and continuously and seems likely to go on talking for some time. □ He had been replying for some 40 minutes already and was still in full flow.
6 PHRASE If you say that an activity, or the person who is performing the activity, is in full flow , you mean that the activity has started and is being carried out with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. □ Lunch at Harry's Bar was in full flow when Irene made a splendid entrance.
7 PHRASE If you go with the flow , you let things happen or let other people tell you what to do, rather than trying to control what happens yourself. □ There's nothing I can do about the problem, so I might as well go with the flow. SYNONYMS flow VERB 1
course: The tears coursed down his cheeks.
stream: Tears streamed down their faces.
gush: Piping-hot water gushed out.
run: Wash the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.
flo w chart (flow charts ) N‑COUNT A flow chart or a flow diagram is a diagram which represents the sequence of actions in a particular process or activity.
flow|er ◆◆◇ /flaʊə r / (flowers , flowering , flowered )
1 N‑COUNT A flower is the part of a plant which is often brightly coloured, grows at the end of a stem, and only survives for a short time. □ Each individual flower is tiny. □ …large, purplish-blue flowers.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A flower is a stem of a plant that has one or more flowers on it and has been picked, usually with others, for example to give as a present or to put in a vase. □ …a bunch of flowers sent by a new admirer.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Flowers are small plants that are grown for their flowers as opposed to trees, shrubs, and vegetables. □ …a lawned area surrounded by plants and flowers. □ The flower garden will be ablaze with colour every day.
4 VERB When a plant or tree flowers , its flowers appear and open. □ [V ] Several of these rhododendrons will flower this year for the first time.
5 VERB When something flowers , for example a political movement or a relationship, it gets stronger and more successful. □ [V ] Their relationship flowered.
6 PHRASE When a plant is in flower or when it has come into flower , its flowers have appeared and opened.
7 → see also flowered
flo w|er ar|rang|ing N‑UNCOUNT Flower arranging is the art or hobby of arranging cut flowers in a way which makes them look attractive.
flower|bed /flaʊə r bed/ (flowerbeds ) also flower bed N‑COUNT A flowerbed is an area of ground in a garden or park which has been specially prepared so that flowers can be grown in it.
flow|ered /flaʊ ə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Flowered paper or cloth has a pattern of flowers on it. □ She was wearing a pretty flowered cotton dress.
flow|er|ing /flaʊ ər I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The flowering of something such as an idea or artistic style is the development of its popularity and success. □ …the flowering of creative genius.