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Escape: meaning, definitions and examples

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escape

 

[ ɪˈskeɪp ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

to avoid danger

To escape means to break free or get away from something. This could be physical, like escaping from a burning building, or metaphorical, like escaping from a boring conversation. People also use it in sports to describe a successful maneuver to avoid being tackled, or in video games when a player evades an enemy attack.

Synonyms

avoid, elude, evade, flee

Examples of usage

  • The prisoner managed to escape from the jail.
  • She tried to escape the conversation by pretending to get a phone call.
  • The player made a quick escape from the defenders and scored a goal.
Context #2 | Noun

a means of breaking free

As a noun, an escape is a way out or a means of breaking free from a difficult situation. It can also refer to a temporary mental distraction or relief from stress or routine. In the context of entertainment, an escape room is a popular activity where participants solve puzzles to find a way out of a locked room within a time limit.

Synonyms

distraction, exit, release, relief

Examples of usage

  • The emergency exit provided a quick escape from the burning building.
  • Reading a book is her escape from the stresses of work.
  • We had a great time solving the puzzles in the escape room.

Translations

Translations of the word "escape" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escapar

🇮🇳 भागना

🇩🇪 fliehen

🇮🇩 melarikan diri

🇺🇦 втеча

🇵🇱 uciekać

🇯🇵 逃げる (にげる)

🇫🇷 s'échapper

🇪🇸 escapar

🇹🇷 kaçmak

🇰🇷 도망치다

🇸🇦 هرب

🇨🇿 uniknout

🇸🇰 uniknúť

🇨🇳 逃跑 (táopǎo)

🇸🇮 pobegniti

🇮🇸 flýja

🇰🇿 қашу

🇬🇪 გაქცევა

🇦🇿 qaçmaq

🇲🇽 escapar

Etymology

The word 'escape' comes from the Middle English 'escapen' or 'escapie', which in turn comes from the Old North French 'escaper', meaning 'to escape'. The concept of escaping has been a fundamental part of human survival instincts, as throughout history, people have needed to escape from danger, oppression, or confinement. The word has evolved to encompass various meanings beyond physical escape, reflecting the complexities of human experiences.

See also: escapee, escapist, inescapable, inescapably.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,107, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.