What is “flee”?

“Flee” means to run away or escape quickly, usually because of danger, fear, or trouble. It can also mean leaving a place to avoid arrest, violence, or harm.

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Quick Scoop

In everyday English, you might say:

  • The family fled the city when the fighting started.
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  • The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.
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Word form

The past tense and past participle of flee is fled.

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Simple meaning

  • Flee = run away from danger.
  • Fled = ran away.

Context note

News reports often use flee to describe people escaping war or violence, such as civilians fleeing conflict zones.

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Bottom line: if someone flees, they leave quickly to get away from danger, fear, or a serious threat.

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