verb
Uncommon
avert
uh-VURT
Avert (verb) means to prevent something bad from happening. Example: “Quick thinking by the crew averted a serious accident.”
verb
1
To prevent something bad from happening.
"Quick thinking by the crew averted a serious accident."
"The last-minute deal averted a strike."
2
To turn one's eyes or attention away from something.
"She averted her gaze as the scene grew too graphic."
How to use avert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop something bad from happening, or to look away from something.
Common pairings
avert disaster
avert one's eyes
avert a crisis
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- averts
- Past tense
- averted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Quick thinking by the crew _____ a serious accident.
Etymology
From Old French avertir, from Latin avertere, "to turn away," from ab- plus vertere, "to turn."
Related words
Rhymes for avert
See all rhymes for avert →Frequently asked questions
What does “avert” mean?
The word “avert” means to prevent something bad from happening. In plain terms, to stop something bad from happening, or to look away from something.
How do you pronounce “avert”?
“Avert” is pronounced uh-VURT (/əˈvɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “avert” in a sentence?
Here is “avert” used in a sentence: “Quick thinking by the crew averted a serious accident.”
What is another word for “avert”?
Words with a similar meaning to “avert” include hinder.
What part of speech is “avert”?
“Avert” is a verb.
Where does the word “avert” come from?
The word “avert” comes from Latin. From Old French avertir, from Latin avertere, "to turn away," from ab- plus vertere, "to turn.".
Is “avert” a common word?
“Avert” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “avert” have?
“Avert” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to prevent something bad from happening.
