avoid
[uh-void]
- to keep away from; keep clear of; shun: to avoid a person; to avoid taxes; to avoid danger.
- to prevent from happening: to avoid falling.
- Law. to make void or of no effect; invalidate.
- Obsolete. to empty; eject or expel.
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Origin of avoid
Synonym study
1. Avoid, escape mean to come through a potentially harmful or unpleasant experience, without suffering serious consequences. To avoid is to succeed in keeping away from something dangerous or undesirable: to avoid meeting an enemy. Escape suggests encountering peril but coming through it safely: to escape drowning.
Synonyms
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
dodgeavertsidestepevadebypassescapeshunshyjumpabstainhideshakecircumventdiverteschewdeflectobviateeludedesistrecoilExamples from the Web for avoid
Contemporary Examples
There are reasons that European countries tend to avoid fluoride.
It is also important to avoid using the pope as part of a marketing strategy.
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few SecondsBarbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2015
We try to avoid going away for too long, so we can check back in.
The pilot asked air-traffic control for permission to climb from 32,000 to 38,000 feet to avoid the bad weather.
As a result, many plants and animals have evolved innovative ways to avoid inbreeding.
Mongooses, Meerkats, and Ants, Oh My! Why Some Animals Keep Mating All in the FamilyHelen Thompson
December 29, 2014
Historical Examples
He could not avoid contrasting this behaviour with his past preaching.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
"In truth, my father, I wished to avoid the pain of parting," rejoined Philæmon.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
He resolved to be as prudent as possible, and avoid, as far as he could, any altercation with Haley.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Avoid me—place yourself in the condition of my opponent, and beware.
I shall at least avoid, by that means, the unsisterly insults I meet with from you.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
avoid
- to keep out of the way of
- to refrain from doing
- to prevent from happeningto avoid damage to machinery
- law to make (a plea, contract, etc) void; invalidate; quash
- obsolete to expel
- obsolete to depart from
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Word Origin
C14: from Anglo-French avoider, from Old French esvuidier, from vuidier to empty, void
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for avoid
v.
c.1300, from Anglo-French avoider "to clear out, withdraw (oneself)," partially anglicized from Old French esvuidier "to empty out," from es- "out" (see ex-) + vuidier "to be empty," from voide "empty, vast, wide, hollow, waste" (see void (adj.)). Originally a law term; modern sense of "have nothing to do with" also was in Middle English and corresponds to Old French eviter with which it was perhaps confused. Meaning "escape, evade" first attested 1520s. Related: Avoided; avoiding.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper