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Avoid Avoided əˈvɔɪd Avoiding I Problems Narrowly Extra

Word3 avoid
WordType (verb)
Phonetic /əˈvɔɪd/ /əˈvɔɪd/
Example
  • to avoid conflict/confrontation
  • we must find a way to avoid similar problems in future.
  • they narrowly avoided defeat.
  • the name was changed to avoid confusion with another firm.
Sound Online sound. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/media/english/us_pron/a/avo/avoid/avoid__us_1.mp3
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Content

avoid

(verb)/əˈvɔɪd/ /əˈvɔɪd/

    Verb Forms

  1. to prevent something bad from happening
    • to avoid conflict/confrontation
    • We must find a way to avoid similar problems in future.
    • They narrowly avoided defeat.
    • The name was changed to avoid confusion with another firm.
    • The accident could have been avoided.
    • Efforts are being made to avoid war at all costs.
    • They built a wall to avoid soil being washed away.

    Extra Examples

    • It is sometimes impossible to avoid conflict altogether.
    • They are anxious to avoid any further misunderstandings.
    • Most of these problems could have been easily avoided.
    • The authorities are eager to avoid bad publicity.
  2. to keep away from somebody/something; to try not to do something
    • He's been avoiding me all week.
    • She kept avoiding my eyes (= avoided looking at me).
    • By staying at home he manages to avoid all contact with strangers.
    • Certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy.
    • I left early to avoid the rush hour.
    • He tried to avoid paying his taxes and was taken to court.

    Extra Examples

    • I've been avoiding getting down to work all day.
    • You should avoid mentioning his divorce.
    • The two men carefully avoided one another.
    • I scrupulously avoid artificial additives when I buy food.
    • He was careful to avoid any sentimentality in his speech.
    • She pointedly avoided looking at him when she spoke.
    • Getting involved in a court case is something to be avoided at all costs.
    • He deftly avoided answering the question.
    • He failed in his attempt to avoid having to pay.
  3. to prevent yourself from hitting something
    • The car swerved to avoid a cat.

    Extra Examples

    • He braked hard and narrowly avoided a parked van.
    • They ducked to avoid a low branch.
  4. to try very hard not to meet somebody, do something, etc.
    • She's been avoiding me like the plague since the party last Saturday.
    • I hate office parties—I avoid them like the plague.
  5. to do/avoid doing something that is a mistake but that seems at first to be a good idea
    • Parents often fall into the trap of trying to do everything for their children.
    • The movie avoids the trap of spending too much time explaining things.

    Word Origin

    • late Middle English: from Old French evuider ‘clear out, get rid of’, from vuide ‘empty’, related to Latin vacare ‘vacate’.
Copyright This card's content is collected from the following dictionaries: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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