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Avoidable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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avoidable

[əˈvɔɪdəbl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a situation that can be prevented

Capable of being avoided, preventable. Something that can be kept away from or not happen.

Synonyms

evitable, preventable, unnecessary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
avoidable

When describing something that does not have to happen if precautions are taken.

  • The error was completely avoidable with proper oversight.
  • Getting sick during the trip was avoidable with better hygiene.
preventable

Used when something can be stopped from happening, particularly in health, safety, and risk management contexts.

  • Heart disease is largely preventable with a healthy lifestyle.
  • Flood damage is preventable with proper infrastructure.
evitable

Less commonly used, but it means something that can be prevented or avoided. Often found in more formal or written contexts.

  • The crisis was evitable if proper measures were taken in advance.
  • Many diseases are evitable with vaccinations.
unnecessary

When something is not needed and can be avoided because it is not essential; often has a negative connotation implying waste or imprudence.

  • The extra costs were unnecessary and could have been avoided.
  • He made an unnecessary comment that upset everyone.

Examples of usage

  • It was an avoidable mistake.
  • The accident was completely avoidable if proper precautions had been taken.
Context #2 | Noun

something that can be avoided

A situation or problem that can be kept away from or not happen.

Synonyms

elimination, evitability, prevention.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
avoidable

Used when referring to something that can be prevented or kept from happening, typically in the context of mistakes, accidents, or problems.

  • This accident was completely avoidable if the right safety measures were in place.
  • Many health issues are avoidable with a proper diet and regular exercise.
prevention

Used when discussing measures taken to stop something from happening, often used in health, safety, and crime contexts.

  • Prevention of the spread of diseases requires vaccination and good hygiene practices.
  • The community placed a strong emphasis on crime prevention strategies.
elimination

Refers to the act of completely removing something, often used in processes, competitions, or addressing issues.

  • The elimination of pests from the house required professional help.
  • With higher votes, the contestant avoided elimination from the show.
evitability

Used to describe the possibility of avoiding something, generally in more formal or technical discussions about risks and control measures.

  • The evitability of such disasters should be a major concern for policy makers.
  • Assessing the evitability of errors in the process can help in improving efficiency.

Examples of usage

  • The conflict was an avoidable that could have been resolved peacefully.
  • Unnecessary delays are avoidables that we need to eliminate.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Avoidable situations often cause anxiety because people may feel they could have done something differently to prevent them.
  • Cognitive biases can make some people overlook avoidable outcomes, leading to poor decision-making.
  • The Framing Effect suggests that how a problem is presented can influence whether someone sees it as avoidable or not.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and books often depict characters facing an avoidable conflict that serves as a major plot twist, showcasing the weight of choice.
  • Catchphrases in media frequently highlight the theme of avoiding unnecessary drama or conflict for comedic effect.
  • In video games, players often face avoidable pitfalls which teach the importance of caution and strategy.

Science

  • In health science, certain diseases and conditions are considered avoidable through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise.
  • Environmental studies indicate that many ecological disasters could have been avoided with better planning and foresight.
  • The concept of an 'avoidable death' is clinically significant in public health discussions focused on prevention.

Education

  • In educational settings, avoidable mistakes can be seen as learning opportunities for students, promoting growth.
  • Teaching critical thinking skills focuses on helping learners identify and avoid traps in reasoning.
  • Many educational programs teach children to recognize and navigate avoidable challenges effectively.

Origin of 'avoidable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'avoidare', meaning 'to shun or keep away from'.
  • It first appeared in English usage in the early 19th century, forming part of the growing vocabulary around social responsibility.
  • The prefix 'avo-' indicates a sense of removing or staying away from something undesirable.

The word 'avoidable' originated from the combination of the prefix 'a-' meaning 'not' and the word 'void' meaning 'empty' or 'devoid'. It first appeared in the early 19th century to describe something that could be kept away from or prevented from happening. Over time, 'avoidable' has become widely used in various contexts to emphasize the possibility of preventing certain situations or outcomes.

See also: avoidance, avoidant, avoider, avoiding, unavoidability, unavoidable, unavoidably.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,251, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.