Flux - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT flux /fləks/ /fləks/ IPA guide

Other forms: fluxes; fluxing; fluxed

The noun flux describes something that constantly changes. If your likes, dislikes, attitudes, dreams, and even friends are changing all the time, you may be in flux.

Flux can also mean being unsure about a decision. Suppose you just had a great job interview and suddenly your friend invites you to go to Australia with her. You don't know what to do because you don't want to miss a call about the job — or Sydney! You're in flux until you hear from the potential employer. Another kind of flux is liquid moving or flowing, like the flux of water under a sheet of melting ice.

Definitions of flux

noun constant change “his opinions are in flux” “the newness and flux of the computer industry” see moresee less type of: change the action of changing something
noun a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action “the flux following the death of the emperor” synonyms: state of flux see moresee less type of: state the way something is with respect to its main attributes
noun a flow or discharge synonyms: fluxion see moresee less type of: flow, flowing the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
noun the lines of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a moving charged particle synonyms: magnetic field, magnetic flux see moresee less types: magnetosphere the magnetic field of a planet; the volume around the planet in which charged particles are subject more to the planet's magnetic field than to the solar magnetic field solar magnetic field the magnetic field of the sun type of: field, field of force, force field the space around a radiating body within which its electromagnetic oscillations can exert force on another similar body not in contact with it
noun the rate of flow of energy or particles across a given surface see moresee less types: neutron flux the rate of flow of neutrons; the number of neutrons passing through a unit area in unit time radiant flux the rate of flow of radiant energy (electromagnetic waves) luminous flux the rate of flow of light energy type of: rate a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
noun (physics) the number of changes in energy flow across a given surface per unit area synonyms: flux density see moresee less type of: denseness, density the amount per unit size
noun excessive discharge of liquid from a cavity or organ (as in watery diarrhea) see moresee less type of: pathology any deviation from a healthy or normal condition
verb move or progress freely as if in a stream synonyms: flow see moresee less types: cockle, riffle, ripple, ruffle, undulate stir up (water) so as to form ripples transpirate, transpire pass through the tissue or substance or its pores or interstices, as of gas type of: move move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
verb become liquid or fluid when heated synonyms: liquefy, liquify see moresee less types: show 5 types... hide 5 types... condense, distil, distill undergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops dethaw, dissolve, melt, thaw, unfreeze, unthaw become or cause to become soft or liquid fuse become plastic or fluid or liquefied from heat deliquesce melt, liquefy, or dissolve, by absorbing moisture from the air de-ice, defrost, deice make or become free of frost or ice type of: change integrity change in physical make-up
noun a substance added to molten metals to bond with impurities that can then be readily removed see moresee less types: soldering flux flux applied to surfaces that are to be joined by soldering; flux cleans the surfaces and results in a better bond type of: chemical, chemical substance material produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules
verb mix together different elements synonyms: blend, coalesce, combine, commingle, conflate, fuse, immix, meld, merge, mix see moresee less types: show 10 types... hide 10 types... gauge mix in specific proportions absorb cause to become one with meld, melt lose its distinct outline or shape; blend gradually blend in, mix in cause (something) to be mixed with (something else) accrete grow, accumulate, or fuse together conjugate unite chemically so that the product is easily broken down into the original compounds admix mix or blend alloy make an alloy of syncretise, syncretize become fused cut in mix in with cutting motions type of: change integrity change in physical make-up

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