In financial economics, liquidity refers to the ease with which an asset can be converted into cash or the ability of an individual or institution to meet its financial obligations without incurring significant losses.There are several dimensions of liquidity, including:

• Market liquidity: The ability to buy or sell an asset quickly and at a price close to its true value, without affecting the market price. Assets that can be easily bought or sold, such as stocks or government bonds, are considered more liquid than assets that are harder to trade, such as real estate or collectibles.
• Funding liquidity: The ability of an individual or institution to raise cash or borrow funds to meet its financial obligations. Banks and other financial institutions must maintain sufficient funding liquidity to meet customer withdrawals, repay debts, and meet other financial commitments.
• Financial market liquidity: The ability of financial markets to function efficiently, with low trading costs, narrow bid-ask spreads, and high trading volumes. Market liquidity can be affected by factors such as investor sentiment, economic conditions, and regulatory changes.

Liquidity is important in financial markets and the broader economy because it affects the ability of individuals, firms, and financial institutions to transact, borrow, and manage risk. A lack of liquidity can lead to market disruptions, financial instability, and economic downturns, as seen during the 2008 global financial crisis. Central banks and financial regulators often monitor and manage liquidity in the financial system through tools such as open market operations, reserve requirements, and emergency lending facilities.