Escaping
/ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo get free from a dangerous or confining situation.
/ɪˈskeɪp/
To get away from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.
The dog escaped from the backyard.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in a really boring class, and you dream of getting out. Escaping means to get away from something bad or unwanted, like a boring class, a dangerous situation, or even just a really annoying chore! For example: "The bird was trying to escape the cage." or "He escaped from his problems by going on vacation."
👶 For kids: To get away from something bad or something you don't want to be near, like a cage or a scary monster.
More Examples
She escaped a difficult situation by changing the subject.
The firemen helped everyone escape the burning building.
How It's Used
"The prisoners planned to escape from jail."
"The hero barely escaped the collapsing building."
To avoid reality or unpleasantness, often through fantasy or distraction.
/ɪˈskeɪp/
To avoid a difficult or unpleasant reality.
She escaped the harsh realities of her life through art.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, when things are tough or boring, you might want to forget about them for a little while. Escaping is like that, but with your mind! You might read a book, watch a movie, or play a game to forget about your worries. For example: “She escaped her worries by going to the library.”
👶 For kids: To hide from things that are sad or make you worried, like when you play pretend.
More Examples
He escaped the boredom of his routine by traveling.
They turned to escapist entertainment to deal with the crisis.
How It's Used
"He used video games to escape from the stress of his job."
"Many people use escapism as a way to deal with problems."
The act of escaping; a means of evading something.
/ɪˈskeɪp/
The act of getting away.
The escape was carefully planned.
💡 Simply: Imagine that you are in the middle of an adventure. An escape is when you are moving to get out of a bad situation or dangerous place. For example: “The escape from the burning building was difficult.”
👶 For kids: When you get out of somewhere you don't want to be.
More Examples
There was no escape from the relentless rain.
The prisoner's escape was a major news story.
How It's Used
"Police are investigating the escape from the prison."
"The fire department planned the escape routes."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
escape artist
A person skilled at escaping from confinement.
"The magician was a famous escape artist."
escape route
A way of getting away from a dangerous place or situation.
"The building had multiple escape routes in case of fire."
From Middle English *escapen*, from Old French *escaper* ('to get away, escape'), from Vulgar Latin *excapare*, from Latin *ex* ('out of') + *cappa* ('cloak, cape'). The original sense likely referred to throwing off a cloak to flee.
The word has been used since the 13th century, evolving from its original meaning of physical flight to include metaphorical escapes.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'cape' - you remove your cape to escape.
Word Origin
"to get away"