flee

[flee]

verb (used without object)

fled, fleeing 

1. to run away, as from danger or pursuers; take flight.

2. to move swiftly; fly; speed.

verb (used with object)

fled, fleeing 

1. to run away from (a place, person, etc.).

   Synonyms: elude, shun, avoid, escape, evade

flee

¹

/ fliː /

verb

1. to run away from (a place, danger, etc); fly

   to flee the country

2. (intr) to run or move quickly; rush; speed

   she fled to the door

flee

²

/ fliː /

verb

1. a Scot word for fly 1

noun

1. a Scot word for fly 2

Other Word Forms

• outflee verb (used with object)
• unfleeing adjective
• fleer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flee¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English fleen, Old English flēon; cognate with Old High German flichan ( German fliehen ), Gothic thliuhan; compare Old English fleogan “to fly”; fly ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of flee¹

Old English flēon ; related to Old Frisian fliā , Old High German fliohan , Gothic thliuhan

Example Sentences

As they fled the scene, the pair came to a realization: It might not be appropriate for every occasion.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Reem Saleha, 40, fled Gaza City a week ago as fighting there intensified and is now living with her seven children, including two young twins, in the southern town of Khan Younis.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He helped direct global efforts to hunt down Chinese fugitives accused of graft who had fled abroad.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The development could force desperate Haitians to flee to the Dominican Republic or board flimsy boats to other nations.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It’s been buffeted by election losses as voters flee to upstart parties, especially on the right.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• depart 
• desert 
• fly 
• get 
• jump 
• leave 
• retreat 
• take off 
• vanish 

When To Use

What does flee mean?

To flee is to run away or escape from a dangerous or otherwise negative situation.Much less commonly, flee can be used to mean to move at a fast pace. The past tense of flee is fled.Example: He was forced to flee his home as a result of the impending battle.