filtered out

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To remove something unwanted by using a filter or a process.

   Grammar: Takes an object: filter out the dirt. Often used in the passive: the dirt was filtered out.

   Patterns

   • filter out something
   • filter something out
   • filter out from something

   The water filter filtered out most of the impurities.

   The software filtered out spam emails before they reached my inbox.

   Noise-canceling headphones filter out background sounds.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To gradually remove people or things from a group, often by testing or selection.

   Grammar: Often used in the passive: the weakest candidates were filtered out.

   Patterns

   • filter out someone
   • filter someone out

   The first round of interviews filtered out most of the applicants.

   Weak players were filtered out during the tryouts.

Word forms

Common combinations

filter out impurities

The new system filters out impurities from the air.

filter out spam

My email program filters out spam automatically.

filter out noise

These walls filter out most of the street noise.

be filtered out

The large particles are filtered out before the water is stored.

Synonyms and how they differ

remove

More general; 'filter out' specifically means removing by a filtering process.

screen out

Similar, but often used for people or things that are excluded after a check.

Opposites

Word family

filter noun

A device or material that removes unwanted substances from air or liquid.

filter verb

To pass something through a filter.

filtration noun

The process of filtering something.

Commonly confused: filtered out or fill out?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “filtered out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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