Influx
ˈɪnflʌks
Definitions
A flowing or coming in; an inflow.
ˈɪnflʌks
An arrival or entry of many things or people at the same time.
The town saw a sudden influx of new residents after the highway was completed.
💡 Simply: Think of it like a sudden rush of something, like when a bunch of new kids arrive at school all at once. It's a 'flow-in' of something.
👶 For kids: When a lot of something comes in at once, like a lot of water coming into a pool.
More Examples
There has been an influx of investment in the tech sector.
The bird sanctuary experienced an influx of visitors during the migration season.
How It's Used
"The city experienced an influx of tourists during the summer months."
"The dam regulates the influx of water into the reservoir."
"Hospitals often see an influx of patients during flu season."
From Latin *influxus*, past participle of *influere* 'to flow in', from *in-* 'in' + *fluere* 'to flow'.
The term influx began to be widely used in the 17th century, initially with the literal meaning of flowing in. It later expanded to encompass the arrival of people or things in a figurative sense.
Memory tip
Imagine a flood gate opening; water, and in this case people or things, rush in - that's an influx.
Word Origin
"to flow in"