avoid · verb T /əˈvɔɪd/
Word family
Nouns: avoidance
Adjectives: unavoidable, avoidable
Verbs: avoid
avoid (STAY AWAY FROM)
B1 to stay away from a person, place, situation, etc.
Dictionary examples:
I try to avoid the city centre at the weekend.
Do you think Tim's avoiding me? I haven't seen him all day.
Learner example:
People despise and avoid her because she is ugly. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
avoid (PREVENT)
B2 to prevent something from happening
Dictionary examples:
I left the pub to avoid a fight.
Unnecessary paperwork should be avoided at all costs.
The plane narrowly avoided disaster when one of the engines failed on take-off.
Learner example:
I think that all these problems could have been avoided and that asking [for] my money back is the best way of forgetting that evening. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)
avoid doing sth
B2 to intentionally not do something
Dictionary example:
She managed to avoid answering my question.
Learner example:
The writer avoided d[e]scribing personal thoughts. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swiss German)
