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escape · verb /ɪˈskeɪp/Full view
Nouns: escape, escapism
Adjectives: inescapable
Verbs: escape
Adverbs: inescapably
escape (GET AWAY)
B1 I to succeed in getting away from a place where you do not want to be
Dictionary examples:

The two prisoners escaped from prison last night.

There were reports that a lion had escaped from its cage at a nearby zoo.

Learner example:

You also get to meet people there, interesting people - for example, I met a really weird guy who claims to have escaped from an asylum, twice! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

escape (AVOID)
B2 I or T to avoid a dangerous or unpleasant situation
Dictionary examples:

She was lucky to escape serious injury.

We only just escaped defeat in the second round of the tournament.

Learner example:

Happily they were found by some hunters and escaped with minor injuries. (First Certificate in English; B2; Romanian)

escape (NOT NOTICE)
C2 T If something escapes your notice or attention, you do not notice or see it.
Dictionary example:

Nothing that goes on in this office escapes her attention.

Learner example:

It has hardly escaped the attention of anyone that the football World Cup is coming up, and it seems that virtually everybody has something to say about this event or about international sports competitions in general. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

escape (FORGET)
C2 T If something such as a name escapes you, you cannot remember it.
Dictionary example:

The name of her book escapes me at the moment.

Learner example:

My first teacher was an elderly woman (her name escapes me now), who had worked in that school for many years. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

escape · noun /ɪˈskeɪp/
Nouns: escape, escapism
Adjectives: inescapable
Verbs: escape
Adverbs: inescapably
escape (FORGETTING PROBLEMS)
B2 U or no plural something that helps you to forget about your usual life or problems
Dictionary example:

I love old movies - they're such an escape from the real world.

Learner example:

When I come there in September, I would rather spend our time in the countryside on your uncle's farm. It will be for me an escape [from] routine and source of revival. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

escape (GETTING OUT)
C1 C or U when someone succeeds in getting out of a place or a dangerous or bad situation
Dictionary examples:

He made his escape on the back of a motorbike.

an escape route

Learner example:

Being impatient in the jail, Tom planned for his escape. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

a narrow escape
C2 If you have a narrow escape, you only just avoid danger.
Dictionary example:

He had a narrow escape when a falling tree crushed his car.

Learner example:

Ralph will have a narrow escape: he is saved by the arrival of a ship which has at last come to rescue them all. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

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