escape
ih-SKAYP
Escape (verb) means to get free from confinement, danger, or an unpleasant situation. Example: “Two prisoners escaped from the facility overnight.”
verb
1
To get free from confinement, danger, or an unpleasant situation.
"Two prisoners escaped from the facility overnight."
"She escaped the burning building just in time."
"The cat escaped through an open window and ran into the garden."
2
To avoid something unpleasant, such as punishment or notice.
"He narrowly escaped a hefty fine by paying the parking ticket late."
"The driver escaped injury because he was wearing a seat belt."
"She hoped to escape notice by sitting quietly at the back of the room."
noun
1
The act of getting free from a dangerous, confining, or unwanted situation.
"The escape was planned for months in advance."
"A weekend at the coast felt like a much-needed escape from work."
"The fox's escape from the farmyard surprised everyone watching."
How to use escape
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get away from something — danger, confinement, notice, or just the stress of daily life.
Common pairings
escape from prison
narrow escape
escape route
weekend escape
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Word forms
- Plural
- escapes
- Third person singular
- escapes
- Past tense
- escaped
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Can you complete this real example?
Two prisoners _____ from the facility overnight.
Etymology
From Old French eschaper, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *excappāre — literally "to get out of one's cape," from Latin ex- ("out") plus cappa ("cloak"). The image is of slipping out of a garment to get away.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for escape
See all rhymes for escape →Frequently asked questions
What does “escape” mean?
The word “escape” means to get free from confinement, danger, or an unpleasant situation. In plain terms, to get away from something — danger, confinement, notice, or just the stress of daily life.
How do you pronounce “escape”?
“Escape” is pronounced ih-SKAYP (/ɪˈskeɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “escape” in a sentence?
Here is “escape” used in a sentence: “Two prisoners escaped from the facility overnight.”
What is another word for “escape”?
Words with a similar meaning to “escape” include break loose and take it on the lam.
What part of speech is “escape”?
Depending on how it is used, “escape” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “escape” come from?
The word “escape” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French eschaper, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *excappāre — literally "to get out of one's cape," from Latin ex- ("out") plus cappa ("cloak"). The image is of slipping out of a garment to get away.
Is “escape” a common word?
“Escape” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “escape” have?
“Escape” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get free from confinement, danger, or an unpleasant situation.
What is the difference between escape and flee?
To flee is to run away from something, focusing on the act of leaving quickly. To escape is to succeed in getting free, focusing on the result. You can flee and still be caught, but if you escape, you have got away. Escape also suits confinement: you escape a locked room, but you flee a fire.
What is the difference between escape and evade?
Escape means breaking free from something you are already caught in, such as a cell or a dangerous situation. Evade means skilfully avoiding something before it catches you, like evading capture or a question. Escape is about getting out; evade is about staying out of reach in the first place.
Can 'escape' be used figuratively?
Yes. Beyond breaking out of physical confinement, escape often describes getting free from unwelcome feelings or situations, such as escaping stress, boredom, or reality. A book or film can offer escape from everyday life. Details can also escape you, meaning they slip from memory or notice without any effort on your part.
What is the opposite of escape?
The clearest opposites are 'capture' and 'confine', which describe being caught or held rather than getting free. Other contrasts include 'trap' and 'imprison'. When escape means avoiding something, its opposite can be 'face' or 'confront', meeting the danger head-on instead of getting away from it.
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