avoid
- avoid
a|void [ ə`vɔıd ] verb transitive ***
1. ) to try not to go near someone or something:
We went early to avoid the crowds.
Avoid that area after dark.
avoid doing something: He had to brake hard to avoid hitting the deer.
a ) to make certain that you do not meet or communicate with someone:
We crossed the road to avoid him.
avoid doing something: I want to avoid speaking to him until I've got more details.
2. ) to try to prevent something from happening:
Try to avoid confrontation.
avoid doing something: They could not avoid being drawn into the argument.
3. ) to choose not to do something in order to achieve a better result:
When taking this medication it is advisable to avoid alcohol.
avoid doing something: Where possible, we have avoided using technical terms.
a ) to choose not to do something because it is unpleasant or not convenient:
He hates cutting the grass and will avoid it whenever he can.
avoid doing something: She's just avoiding having to go back to work.
avoid someone/something like the plague
to be determined to keep away from someone or something completely:
I avoid chocolate like the plague because it makes my face break out.
After they broke up he avoided her like the plague.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English.
2013.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
avoid — vt [modification of Old French esvuider to destroy, literally, to empty, from es out + vuider to empty] 1: to make void or undo: annul the trustee may avoid any transfer of interest of the debtor in property U.S. Code 2: to respond to (an… … Law dictionary
Avoid — A*void , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Avoided}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Avoiding}.] [OF. esvuidier, es (L. ex) + vuidier, voidier, to empty. See {Void}, a.] 1. To empty. [Obs.] Wyclif. [1913 Webster] 2. To emit or throw out; to void; as, to avoid excretions.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
avoid — a‧void [əˈvɔɪd] verb [transitive] TAX LAW if you avoid tax, you manage to not pay it legally, for example by the way that you enter profits or losses into your accounts: • Investing in this way allows savers to avoid tax upon withdrawal. compare… … Financial and business terms
avoid — avoid; avoid·a·ble; un·avoid·abil·i·ty; avoid·ant; avoid·ance; avoid·a·bly; un·avoid·able·ness; … English syllables
avoid — [ə void′] vt. [ME avoiden < Anglo Fr avoider < OFr esvuidier, to empty < es (< L ex ), out + vuidier: see VOID] 1. to make void; annul, invalidate, or quash (a plea, etc. in law) 2. to keep away from; evade; shun [to avoid crowds] 3.… … English World dictionary
avoid — avoid, avert, evade Avoid and evade overlap in meaning, but evade has a stronger sense of guile or trickery in escaping from an obligation (such as paying income tax). Avert means ‘to turn aside’ (which is its literal meaning in averting one s… … Modern English usage
Avoid — A*void , v. i. 1. To retire; to withdraw. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] David avoided out of his presence. 1 Sam. xviii. 11. [1913 Webster] 2. (Law) To become void or vacant. [Obs.] Ayliffe. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
avoid — (v.) c.1300, from Anglo Fr. avoider to clear out, withdraw (oneself), partially anglicized from O.Fr. esvuidier to empty out, from es out (see EX (Cf. ex )) + vuidier to be empty, from voide empty, vast, wide, hollow, waste (see VOID (Cf … Etymology dictionary
avoid — *escape, shun, eschew, evade, elude Analogous words: avert, ward, *prevent, obviate: forestall, anticipate (see PREVENT): flee, fly (see ESCAPE) Antonyms: face: meet Contrasted words: *incur, contract, catch: court, solicit, * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
avoid — [v] refrain or stay away from; prevent abstain, avert, bypass, circumlocute, circumvent, deflect, desist, ditch, divert, dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, fake out*, fend off, flee, give the slip*, hide, hold off, jump, keep clear, lay… … New thesaurus
avoid — ► VERB 1) keep away or refrain from. 2) prevent from doing or happening. DERIVATIVES avoidable adjective avoidably adverb avoidance noun. ORIGIN Old French evuider clear out, get rid of … English terms dictionary
