écouler

Senses

1. 1.

   to flow; to drain

   (of liquid) to flow or drain away

2. 2.

   to sell off; to dispose of

   to sell goods, especially quickly or at a discount

3. 3.

   to pass; to elapse

   (of time) to go by or slip away

Examples

• "L'eau s'écoule lentement par le drain."

  The water flows slowly through the drain.

• "Le commerçant a dû écouler son stock avant la fermeture."

  The shopkeeper had to sell off his stock before closing.

• "Les années s'écoulent rapidement."

  The years pass quickly.

Usage

Écouler is a transitive or reflexive verb. When reflexive (s'écouler), it often conveys the sense of something flowing away or time passing; when transitive, it typically means to sell off or dispose of goods. Common in commercial and technical contexts.