1keep away from or stop oneself from doing (something):avoid excessive exposure to the sunGerard avoided meeting his eye
contrive not to meet (someone):boys queued up to take Gloria out, but avoided Deirdre
not go to or through (a place):this route avoids downtown Boston
prevent from happening:book early to avoid disappointment
2 Law repudiate, nullify, or render void (a decree or contract):if the original owner had avoided his contract with the rogue, ownership of the goods would have reverted to him
avoid someone/thing like the plague
try hard to avoid someone or something:a place that Robyn normally avoided like the plagueI avoid business lunches like the plague