Confluence

How to spell confluence

10 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce confluence

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does confluence mean?

1. nounThe point where two or more rivers or streams flow together and join.
2. nounA coming together of separate factors, events, or people at one time or place.

Confluence in a sentence

• The city was built at the confluence of two great rivers.

• The crisis grew from a confluence of bad weather and poor planning.

• Anglers gather at the confluence where the trout stream meets the main river.

• A rare confluence of talent and funding made the project possible.

Where does confluence come from?

Language of origin: Latin

Confluence comes from the Latin confluentia, a noun built on the verb confluere, meaning 'to flow together'. That verb joins the prefix con-, meaning 'together' or 'with', to fluere, the Latin verb 'to flow'. The same fluere root flows through a whole family of English words, including fluent, fluid, and influence, which is why they all carry that telltale 'flu' spelling. English adopted confluence in the early 1400s, first describing the literal junction where two rivers or streams meet and merge their waters. Over time the sense broadened to cover any coming together of separate things, such as ideas, people, or circumstances. Remembering the 'flow together' origin helps fix the 'flu' in the middle and the soft -ence ending that catches many writers out.

How the word is built

• con- (together)
• flu (from Latin fluere: to flow)
• -ence (noun suffix)