avoid */*/*/

UK [əˈvɔɪd] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "avoid":
present tense I/you/we/they avoid he/she/it avoids present participle avoiding past tense avoided past participle avoided

Get it right: avoid:

Avoid is never used with an infinitive. It is followed by a verb in the -ing form:
Wrong: Avoid to use long quotations unless really necessary.
Right: Avoid using long quotations unless really necessary.
Wrong: A survey has found that most smokers would avoid to eat out if smoking were banned.
Right: A survey has found that most smokers would avoid eating out if smoking were banned.

1) to try to prevent something from happening

Try to avoid confrontation.

avoid doing something:

I want to avoid being drawn into the argument.

2)

a) to try not to go near someone or something

We went early to avoid the crowds.

Avoid that area after dark.

b) to make certain that you do not meet or communicate with someone

We crossed the road to avoid him.

avoid doing something:

I want to avoid speaking to him until I've got more details.

3)

a) to choose not to do something in order to achieve a better result

When taking this medication it is advisable to avoid alcohol.

avoid doing something:

Where possible, we have avoided using technical terms.

b) to choose not to do something because it is unpleasant or not convenient

He dislikes work and will avoid it whenever he can.

avoid doing something:

She's just avoiding having to go back to work.

•

avoid someone/something like the plague — to be determined to keep away from someone or something completely

If I were you, I'd avoid him like the plague.