1 A2 neutral
For liquid or gas to move steadily outward from a place.
"Clean water began to flow out of the pipe once the blockage was cleared."
flow out
B1 neutral intransitive
To move outward in a steady, continuous stream.
In plain English
When something like water, people, or money moves out of a place smoothly and continuously.
What does "flow out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
For people to leave a place in a continuous stream.
"Commuters flowed out of the station in a steady stream at rush hour."
3 B2 idiomatic formal
For money, capital, or resources to leave a place or economy continuously.
"Billions of dollars flow out of developing nations each year due to capital flight."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For a liquid to flow (move smoothly) outward — transparent.
Actually means
When something like water, people, or money moves out of a place smoothly and continuously.
Usage tip
Used both literally (water, air) and figuratively (money, people, information). Common in formal and neutral writing, including economics and journalism.
Words that pair with "flow out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
water capital crowd information talent refugees
How to conjugate "flow out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
flow out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flows out
he/she/it
Past simple
flowed out
yesterday
Past participle
flowed out
have + pp
-ing form
flowing out
continuous
Hear "flow out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "flow out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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