# flee

/ˈfɫi/ (US) · /flˈiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flee
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to run away from danger

verb · CEFR B2

to leave a place very quickly because you are in danger or afraid.

For teachers: to run away from a place or situation of perceived danger. Often used intransitively or with a direct object representing the location or threat.

- Thousands of people had to flee their homes when the fire started spreading.
- As the floodwaters rose, residents were forced to flee to higher ground, leaving most of their belongings behind.

Usage: The past tense is 'fled'.

### 2. to vanish or pass quickly

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to disappear or pass by very fast.

For teachers: to pass away or vanish rapidly; often used in literary contexts regarding time or abstract concepts.

- All my worries seemed to flee as soon as I saw the ocean.
- In the heat of the moment, his courage began to flee, replaced by a cold sense of dread.

## Examples

- Many people had to flee the city during the storm.
- The residents were forced to flee their homes as the rising floodwaters reached the ground floor.
- Witnesses reported seeing several suspects flee the scene on foot immediately after the alarm sounded, disappearing into the dense network of alleyways before the police arrived.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.