banish
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.”
How to use banish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo send someone away permanently, or to force an unwanted thought out of your mind.
Word forms
banished past tense, banishes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
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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