Avoid Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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avoid
[əˈvɔɪd ]
Definitions
in everyday life
To keep away from; to prevent from happening. To refrain from doing something.
Synonyms
circumvent, dodge, evade, miss, shun.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| avoid |
Used when you don't want to be near something or in a situation. It can be both physical or abstract.
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| evade |
Used when avoiding something through cleverness or deceit, often has a negative connotation.
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| dodge |
Implies quick, sudden movement to escape or avoid something, often suggesting agility.
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| shun |
Implies deliberately avoiding someone or something, often due to social or moral reasons.
|
| circumvent |
Used in a formal context, meaning to find a way around an obstacle, often in a clever or deceitful way.
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| miss |
Used when you fail to hit or reach something, or do not see or notice something.
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Examples of usage
- She tried to avoid eye contact with him.
- He always avoids conflict in the workplace.
- Avoid eating too much sugar if you want to stay healthy.
- You should avoid driving when you are tired.
- The teacher advised the students to avoid plagiarism in their essays.
in formal situations
A way of keeping away from or preventing from happening. A means of evading or escaping.
Synonyms
avoidance, elusion, escape, evasion.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| avoid |
To stay away from something or someone, often to prevent harm or difficulty.
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| evasion |
The act of intentionally avoiding something, often responsibilities or penalties, and usually with a negative connotation.
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| avoidance |
The action of keeping away from something, often used in psychological contexts or formal writing.
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| escape |
To break free from confinement or control, often used in dramatic situations.
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| elusion |
The act of escaping or avoiding capture, often used in formal contexts or discussions about evading capture.
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Examples of usage
- The best avoid for conflict is open communication.
- His clever avoid of the question saved him from embarrassment.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'avoid'
The word 'avoid' originated from the Old French word 'esvuidier', which means 'to empty out'. Over time, it evolved to the Middle English 'avoiden', with the sense of 'to make empty, clear out, or get rid of'. The modern usage of 'avoid' as we know it today, in the sense of keeping away from or preventing something from happening, emerged in the 16th century. The word has been consistently used in the English language to convey the idea of steering clear of certain actions or situations.