avoid

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to stay clear from

   I try to avoid the main roads during rush hour.

2. 2
   verb

   to refrain from certain foods or beverages

   I am avoiding meat this month.

3. 3
   verb

   to prevent the occurrence of

   We need to avoid further problems.

4. 4
   verb

   to refrain from doing something

   You need to avoid eating ice cream since you're lactose intolerant.

5. 5
   verb

   To stay out of the way of (something harmful).

   I avoided the slap easily.

6. 6
   verb

   To keep away from; to keep clear of; to stay away from.

   I try to avoid the company of gamblers.

7. 7
   verb

   To try not to do something or to have something happen.

   Then he realized, by the immobility of the other children and by the way they avoided looking at him, that it was he who was selected for punishment.

8. 8
   verb

   To make empty; to clear.

   If thou haue, he shal lyue with thee, and auoide thee out ; and he shal not sorewen vpon thee.

Etymology

From Middle English avoiden, from Anglo-Norman avoider, Old French esvuidier (“to empty out”), from es- + vuidier, from Vulgar Latin *vocitāre < Vulgar Latin *vocitum, ultimately related to Latin vacuus. Displaced native Old English forbūgan (literally “to bend away from”).