Meaning

(transitive) To try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun.
2. (transitive) To stay out of the way of (something harmful).
3. (transitive) To keep away from; to keep clear of; to stay away from.
4. (transitive) To try not to do something or to have something happen.
5. (transitive, obsolete) To make empty; to clear.
6. (transitive, now law) To make void, to annul; to refute (especially a contract).
7. (transitive, law) To defeat or evade; to invalidate.
8. (transitive, obsolete) To emit or throw out; to void.

Example Sentences

I avoided the slap easily.

One town was flooded from the storm, while the other town avoided the storm.

I try to avoid the company of gamblers.

What need a man foreſtall his date of griefe / And run to meet what he would moſt avoid?

He still hoped that he might be able to win some chiefs who remained neutral; and he carefully avoided every act which could goad them into open hostility.

England could have met world and European champions Spain but that eventuality was avoided by Sweden's 2-0 win against France, and Rooney's first goal in a major tournament since scoring twice in the 4-2 victory over Croatia in Lisbon at Euro 2004.

Then he realized, by the immobility of the other children and by the way they avoided looking at him, that it was he who was selected for punishment.

If thou haue, he shal lyue with thee, and auoide thee out ; and he shal not sorewen vpon thee.

Word Forms

• avoids
• avoiding
• avoided

Synonyms for avoid

Antonyms for avoid

Related Words

When Should You Use Avoid?

Use avoid when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions