Avert
/əˈvɜːrt/
verbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To turn aside, prevent, or avoid (something undesirable).
/əˈvɜːrt/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To turn away from; to prevent.
She averted disaster by calling the emergency services.
💡 Simply: To stop something bad from happening.
More Examples
2
He cleverly averted suspicion.
How It's Used
General
"He averted his gaze from the gruesome sight."
Safety
"The quick thinking of the driver averted a serious accident."
From Old French avertir, from Latin avertere, meaning "to turn away."
The word has been consistently used to describe the prevention of negative outcomes since its adoption into English.
Memory tip
Think of 'a-vert' as 'away-turn' to remember its meaning of turning away.
Practice
avertteavert
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written