Meaning & Definition of word "Avoid"
Avoid
/əˈvɔɪd/
verb:
- 1. To keep away from or prevent from happening.
- Example: She tried to avoid the rain by taking an umbrella.
- 2. To prevent something from happening.
- Example: He took measures to avoid any possible misunderstandings.
- 3. To stay clear of or evade.
- Example: The athlete made an effort to avoid injuries during the season.
- 4. To refrain from doing something.
- Example: You should avoid eating too much sugar for better health.
Etymology
●From Middle English 'avoid' meaning 'to empty out, remove,' from Old French 'esvuidier' which means 'to empty.'
Common Phrases and Expressions
avoid something like the plague:
To deliberately stay away from something.
avoid eye contact:
To not look directly at someone.
avoid at all costs:
To do everything possible to stay away from something.
Related Words
evade:
To escape or avoid, especially through cleverness.
shun:
To avoid or reject deliberately.
circumvent:
To find a way around (an obstacle or an issue).
Slang Meanings of avoid
Meaning: Skip
● Example Sentence: I'm just going to skip that party to avoid the drama.
Meaning: Duck
● Example Sentence: He tried to duck the meeting because he didn't want to deal with the conflict.