verb
C2
Proficient
banish
BA-nihsh
Banish (verb) means to officially force someone to leave a place, usually as punishment, and forbid their return. Example: “The king banished the traitor from the kingdom forever.”
verb
1
To officially force someone to leave a place, usually as punishment, and forbid their return.
"The king banished the traitor from the kingdom forever."
"She was banished from the club after breaking the rules repeatedly."
2
To drive an unwanted thought or feeling from one's mind.
"He tried to banish all doubt before walking on stage."
How to use banish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo send someone away permanently, or to force an unwanted thought out of your mind.
Common pairings
banish someone from
banish all doubt
banished into exile
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- banishes
- Past tense
- banished
Fill the gap
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The king _____ the traitor from the kingdom forever.
Etymology
From Old French banir, "to proclaim or outlaw," rooted in the same Germanic word behind ban — to banish someone was originally to publicly declare them an outlaw.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for banish
See all rhymes for banish →Frequently asked questions
What does “banish” mean?
The word “banish” means to officially force someone to leave a place, usually as punishment, and forbid their return. In plain terms, to send someone away permanently, or to force an unwanted thought out of your mind.
How do you pronounce “banish”?
“Banish” is pronounced BA-nihsh (/ˈbænɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “banish” in a sentence?
Here is “banish” used in a sentence: “The king banished the traitor from the kingdom forever.”
What part of speech is “banish”?
“Banish” is a verb.
Where does the word “banish” come from?
The word “banish” comes from Old French. From Old French banir, "to proclaim or outlaw," rooted in the same Germanic word behind ban — to banish someone was originally to publicly declare them an outlaw.
How many meanings does “banish” have?
“Banish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to officially force someone to leave a place, usually as punishment, and forbid their return.
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