contraflow

C3O1N1T1R1A1F4L1O1W4

noun

Flow in the opposite direction to normal.

“Example: Contra-flow cycling is most often applied on basic cycle network links in low-speed local access roads, both within and outside the built-up area (European English)”

Scrabble 18

Meanings

nouncontraflow (countable and uncountable, plural contraflows)

plural contraflows

  1. countableuncountableFlow in the opposite direction to normal.

    Example: Contra-flow cycling is most often applied on basic cycle network links in low-speed local access roads, both within and outside the built-up area (European English)

    1 more example

    Example: Contra-flow cycling is a regulatory measure. In streets and roads with a one-way traffic restriction, cyclists are exempt from the one-way restriction and are allowed to drive against the flow of motorized traffic. (European English)

    Synonyms: counterflow

  2. countableuncountableAn abnormal state of a road or motorway where the traffic temporarily travels in the opposite direction to normal, usually as a result of repair work or an accident.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounFlow in the opposite direction to normal.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱe?
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ḱóm
  3. Proto-Italic*kom
  4. Proto-Italic*kom-
  5. Proto-Italic*komteros
  6. Proto-Italic*komterād
  7. Latincontrā
  8. Englishcontra-
  9. Proto-Indo-European*plew-
  10. Proto-Indo-European*plōw-der.?
  11. Proto-Indo-European*plew-
  12. Proto-Indo-European*pleh₃(w)-der.?
  13. Proto-Germanic*flōaną
  14. Proto-West Germanic*flōan
  15. Old Englishflōwan
  16. Middle Englishflowen
  17. Middle Englishflowe
  18. Englishflow
  19. Englishcontraflow

From contra- + flow.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Spanish contraflujo
  • contraflujoTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

contraflow. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/contraflow

MLA

“contraflow.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/contraflow. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “contraflow,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/contraflow.

Source: contraflow on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.