Definition and meaning of English word "prevent"
prevent
/prɪˈvɛnt/
Meaning
VerbTo stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).
How to use
The verb 'prevent' is often used in formal contexts to indicate stopping something from happening. A common mistake is to confuse 'prevent' with 'stop', although both can mean to halt something, 'prevent' implies taking measures to avoid something happening. For example, 'The medicine will prevent the disease' is correct, whereas 'The medicine will stop the disease' implies the disease is already present.
🇬🇧 English
prevent
Example
We prevent accidents
They prevent disease
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- prevent something from happening— prevent something from happening
- prevent a problem— prevent a problem
- prevent damage— prevent damage
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #379 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "prevent" mean?▼
The English word "prevent" means "prevent" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "prevent"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "prevent" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "prevent"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Stop something happening" (which translates as "prevent").
More Extended Verbs words
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