obviate
[ ob-vee-eyt ]
/ ˈɒb viˌeɪt /
Save This Word!
verb (used with object), ob·vi·at·ed, ob·vi·at·ing.
to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE MANY TYPES OF NOUNS
They're everywhere you turn, but can you identify the 10 types of nouns easily? This quiz will test your mettle against singular, plural, concrete, abstract, common, proper, collective, compound, countable, and uncountable nouns!
Question 1 of 7
Shoelaces, rainbow, toothpaste, and haircuts are all what type of noun?
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Origin of obviate
OTHER WORDS FROM obviate
Words nearby obviate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for obviate
British Dictionary definitions for obviate
obviate
/ (ˈɒbvɪˌeɪt) /
verb
(tr) to avoid or prevent (a need or difficulty)
Derived forms of obviate
obviation, nounWord Origin for obviate
C16: from Late Latin obviātus prevented, past participle of obviāre; see obvious
usage for obviate
Only things that have not yet occurred can be obviated. For example, one can obviate a possible future difficulty, but not one that already exists
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012