avoid

1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈvȯid 

avoided; avoiding; avoids

transitive verb

1

a

: to keep away from : shun

They have been avoiding me.

b

: to prevent the occurrence or effectiveness of

avoid further delays

c

: to refrain from

avoid overeating

2

law : to make legally void (see void entry 1 sense 1a) : annul

avoid a plea

3

archaic : to depart or withdraw from : leave

4

obsolete : void, expel

avoidable

ə-ˈvȯi-də-bəl 

adjective

avoidably

ə-ˈvȯi-də-blē 

adverb

avoider noun

avoidable

2 of 2

adjective

avoid·​able ə-ˈvȯi-də-bəl 

: capable of being avoided

an easily avoidable accident

an avoidable risk

avoidability

ə-ˌvȯi-də-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

What follows is a tragedy all the more painful for its avoidability …

—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2009

avoidably

ə-ˈvȯi-də-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of avoid

Verb

• evade
• escape
• prevent
• eliminate

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of avoid in a Sentence

Verb

Why do you keep avoiding me?

She took a detour to avoid the heavy traffic.

They successfully avoided each other for days.

He tried hard to avoid accidents.

We need to avoid further delays.

He was caught trying to avoid arrest.

in an effort to avoid confusion

I'm not going to be late if I can avoid it.

How can I avoid paying too much tax?

I am trying to avoid showing any hint of favoritism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At least three of Canada's defenders need to avoid incurring a yellow card today in the group stage. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026

According to RadarOnline, the network has instructed guests on Today to avoid speaking about Nancy on air. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 June 2026

The two are still polar opposites; Sally is a dutiful mother who bakes beautiful cakes and avoids men while Gillian is all about finding literal Chads on Tinder. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026

Aim for short sessions of gentle stetching each day to avoid overworking your joints. — Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French avoider, alteration of Old French esvuider, from es- (from Latin ex-) + vuider to empty — more at void entry 3

Adjective

Middle English, from avoiden "to avoid" + -able -able

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing avoid

• avoid (someone or something) like the plague

Rhymes for avoid

• alloyed
• android
• annoyed
• convoyed
• crinoid
• cuboid
• cycloid
• decoyed
• deployed
• dermoid
• destroyed
• devoid

Kids Definition

avoid

verb

ə-ˈvȯid 

1

: to keep away from

they have been avoiding me

2

: to keep from happening

avoid an accident

3

: to keep from doing or being

avoid getting too tired

avoidable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

avoidably

-blē 

adverb

avoider noun

Legal Definition

avoid

transitive verb

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 allegation or averment) by declaring that facts alleged do not result in liability

averments in a pleading to which no responsive pleading is required or permitted shall be taken as denied or avoided

—U.S. Code

see also confession and avoidance compare deny

3

: to prevent the occurrence of or responsibility for especially through lawful means

avoid a tax

compare evade

avoidability noun

avoidable adjective

avoidance noun

Etymology

Transitive verb

modification of Old French esvuider to destroy, literally, to empty, from es- out + vuider to empty