Definition and meaning of English word "avoid"
avoid
/əˈvɔɪd/
Meaning
VerbTo try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun.
How to use
The verb 'avoid' typically implies making an effort to prevent something from happening or to stay away from someone or something. A common mistake is to use 'avoid' with a gerund (e.g., 'avoid doing something') rather than an infinitive. For example, 'I avoided eating the cake' is correct, while 'I avoided to eat the cake' is incorrect.
🇬🇧 English
avoid
Example
I try to avoid eating junk food.
We should avoid talking about politics during dinner.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- avoid doing something— to prevent something from happening
- avoid someone or something— to stay away from someone or something
- avoid eye contact— to not look directly at someone
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #754 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "avoid" mean?▼
The English word "avoid" means "avoid" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "avoid"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "avoid" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "avoid"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I try to avoid eating too much sugar." (which translates as "avoid").
More Extended Verbs words
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