flush left: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “flush left” mean?
A text formatting style where the text is aligned to the left margin, creating a straight left edge and an irregular right edge (ragged right).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A text formatting style where the text is aligned to the left margin, creating a straight left edge and an irregular right edge (ragged right).
It can refer to the action of making text align to the left margin. It is a fundamental concept in typography and page layout.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is standard in professional publishing, design, and word processing contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US professional and academic contexts involving document design.
Grammar
How to Use “flush left” in a Sentence
[Be verb] + flush left[Verb] + [object] + flush leftflush-left + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flush left” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Please flush left the subheadings in that section.
- The designer flushed the captions left for a modern look.
American English
- Make sure to flush the bibliography left in the final draft.
- The template automatically flushes all paragraphs left.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in report and presentation formatting guidelines (e.g., 'All body text should be flush left.').
Academic
Used in style guides for theses, dissertations, and journal submissions regarding layout requirements.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used when discussing document formatting in word processors.
Technical
Core term in typography, graphic design, desktop publishing, and web design (CSS: `text-align: left;`).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flush left”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flush left”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flush left”
- Confusing it with 'left-justified' (some style guides distinguish 'flush left/ragged right' from 'justified' text).
- Using it as a verb without an object (Incorrect: 'The text flushes left.' Correct: 'Flush the text left' or 'Set the text flush left.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most modern contexts, 'flush left' and 'left-aligned' are synonymous. 'Flush left' is the more traditional term from typesetting.
Here, 'flush' means 'even or level with another surface'. The text forms a straight, level line (is 'flush') with the left margin.
Yes, in professional editing and design contexts, it can be used as a phrasal verb (e.g., 'Flush that paragraph left').
It creates a perfectly straight vertical line on the left side of the text block, while the right side remains uneven or 'ragged'.
A text formatting style where the text is aligned to the left margin, creating a straight left edge and an irregular right edge (ragged right).
Flush left is usually formal/technical in register.
Flush left: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflʌʃ ˈleft/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflʌʃ ˈlɛft/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No specific idioms for this technical term.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **plumber** (like a flush toilet) pushing all the text to the **left** wall until it's perfectly straight against it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ALIGNMENT IS PHYSICAL ALIGNMENT (e.g., lining up soldiers). Text is 'lined up' against the left margin.
Practice
Quiz
In typography, what is the opposite of 'flush left' alignment?