Avoid Definition

ə-void

avoided, avoiding, avoids

verb

avoided, avoiding, avoids

To stay clear of; go around or away from.

Swerve to avoid a pothole.

American Heritage

To make void; annul, invalidate, or quash (a plea, etc.)

Webster's New World

To take measures so as not to meet or see (someone).

American Heritage

To keep away from; evade; shun.

To avoid crowds.

Webster's New World

To prevent from happening.

You can avoid illness with exercise and a balanced diet.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Avoid

Middle English avoiden from Anglo-Norman avoider to empty out variant of Old French esvuidier es- out (from Latin ex- ex–) vuidier to empty (from voide empty void)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English avoiden, from Anglo-Norman avoider, Old French esvuidier (“to empty out”), from es- + vuidier, from Latin viduare (“to empty”), from viduus (“empty”); see void.

From Wiktionary