Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Avoid: Definition, Usage & Common Errors (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：prevent from happening (avoid)

avoid 🔊

/əˈvɔɪd/

vt.

To make sure something doesn't happen or to stop yourself from doing something.

Avoid definition illustrated: choosing a sunny route to avoid rain on a map app.

prevent from happening 🔊

➕

/prɪˈvɛnt frəm ˈhæpənɪŋ/

vt.

To take deliberate actions to ensure that an undesirable event does not occur, or to consciously abstain from performing a specific action.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ex-' (out) and 'vacuus' (empty), meaning to empty out or make void.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'a void' – to AVOID is to create an empty space by staying away.

📖 Example

I always double-check my work to avoid making silly mistakes in my homework. 🔊 I consistently review my assignments to prevent errors in my school tasks.

🔗 Collocations

avoid conflict – to prevent or steer clear of disagreements

avoid responsibility – to evade or shirk duties

avoid mistakes – to prevent errors from occurring

🔄 Synonyms

evade (vt.) – to escape or avoid something, especially by cleverness or trickery

shun (vt.) – to deliberately avoid or keep away from

circumvent (vt.) – to find a way around an obstacle or problem

🚫 Antonyms

embrace (vt.) – to accept or welcome something willingly

confront (vt.) – to face or deal with a problem directly

seek (vt.) – to attempt to find or obtain something

🌱 Derivatives

avoidance (n.) – the act of avoiding something

avoidable (adj.) – capable of being avoided

unavoidable (adj.) – impossible to avoid

📖 Cultural Story

Avoid originates from Latin 'evitare', combining 'ex-' (out) and 'vitare' (to shun). In modern English, it is frequently used in legal and formal contexts to denote circumventing obligations or risks.

Meaning 2：stay away from (avoid)

avoid 🔊

/əˈvɔɪd/

vt.

To stay away from a person, place, or thing because it's unpleasant or dangerous.

Avoid meaning example: a person stepping around a puddle to avoid getting wet.

stay away from 🔊

➕

/steɪ əˈweɪ frəm/

vt.

To keep a distance from a person, place, or object because it is considered unpleasant, harmful, or dangerous.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The driver quickly swerved to avoid the pothole in the middle of the road. 🔊 The motorist abruptly changed direction to steer clear of the road hazard.

🔗 Collocations

avoid danger – to keep away from hazardous situations

avoid crowds – to stay away from large gatherings of people

avoid contact – to prevent physical or social interaction

🔄 Synonyms

dodge (vt.) – to avoid something by moving quickly aside

elude (vt.) – to escape from or avoid, especially in a clever way

sidestep (vt.) – to avoid dealing with something or to step aside to avoid

🚫 Antonyms

approach (vt.) – to come near or closer to something

encounter (vt.) – to meet or experience something, especially unexpectedly

face (vt.) – to confront or deal with directly

🌱 Derivatives

avoidance (n.) – the act of avoiding something

avoidable (adj.) – capable of being avoided

unavoidable (adj.) – impossible to avoid