avoid

verb \ə-ˈvȯid\

: to stay away from (someone or something)

: to prevent the occurrence of (something bad, unpleasant, etc.)

: to keep yourself from doing (something) or participating in (something)

Full Definition of AVOID

transitive verb

: to make legally void : annul <avoid a plea>

obsolete : void, expel

a : to keep away from : shun <have been avoiding me>

b : to prevent the occurrence or effectiveness of <avoid further delays>

c : to refrain from <avoid overeating>

archaic : to depart or withdraw from : leave

— avoid·able \-ˈvȯi-də-bəl\ adjective

— avoid·ably \-blē\ adverb

— avoid·er noun

See avoid defined for English-language learners

See avoid defined for kids

Origin of AVOID

Middle English, from Anglo-French avoider, alteration of Old French esvuider, from es- (from Latin ex-) + vuider to empty — more at void

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AVOID

Synonyms: escape, dodge, duck, elude, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of)

Synonym Discussion of AVOID

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent <nothing escapes her sharp eyes>. avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty <try to avoid past errors>. evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding <evaded the question by changing the subject>. elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes <what she sees in him eludes me>. shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence <you have shunned your responsibilities>. eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful <a playwright who eschews melodrama>.