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away

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adverb British English pronunciation: away /əˈweɪ/
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    in a different direction
    1. a.
      moving so that you go further from a person, place, or thing

      When Sykes saw the police, he ran away.

      away from:

      People had been driven away from their homes by the invading army.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
    2. b.
      used for talking about the direction of a road, path etc
      away from:

      A path led away from the back of the house.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
    3. c.
      turning or looking towards a different direction

      Bruce was staring at her. She looked away, feeling suddenly shy and embarrassed.

      away from:

      He turned away from the window and walked over to the table.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  2. 2
    not at home, or not at the place where you work or study

    My brother looks after the farm while I'm away.

    away from:

    I'm writing to ask Amy's parents why she's been away from school.

    away on holiday/business:

    Graham's away on holiday this week.

    go away (=leave your home for more than a day):

    I've not seen our neighbours around – they must have gone away somewhere.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  3. 3
    at a distance
    1. a.
      not near something or someone, especially because of danger
      keep/stay away:

      Police have warned people to stay away from the area.

      away from:

      Keep away from the stove – it's very hot.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
    2. b.
      far from people, places, or things, especially so that you feel separated from them
      away from:

      It's nice to have a weekend away from London.

      She's been away from her family for too long.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  4. 4
    used for showing distance or time
    1. a.
      used for saying how far it is to a place
      5 miles/100 yards etc away:

      The nearest hospital is about eight miles away.

      away from:

      Robert's brother was standing only a few feet away from me.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
    2. b.
      used for saying how much time will pass before a date or event in the future
      2 weeks/3 months etc away:

      Examinations are less than three weeks away.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  5. 5
    used for saying that something gradually disappears

    The sound of their voices faded away into the distance.

    Martha's anger suddenly melted away.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  6. 6
    [usually progressive] used for showing that someone does something continuously or for a long time

    Molly was at her desk working away as usual.

    The children were all chattering away happily.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  7. 7
    used for showing that something is removed

    We need to have this rubbish taken away.

    She wiped away her tears and tried to smile.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  8. 8
    in a safe place, or in the place where something is usually kept
    put/clear something away:

    Put your toys away before you go to bed.

    store/hide something away:

    He's got lot of gold coins hidden away somewhere.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  9. 9
    used for showing that there is a change in people's opinions or ways of doing things
    move/shift away from:

    We're moving away from the idea that what's modern is necessarily good.

    a move/shift away from:

    There has been a shift away from the old manufacturing industries toward high technology.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away
  10. 10
    if a sports team plays away, they go to their opponents' ground to play a game. If they play in their own ground, they play at home
    be away to someone:

    Chelsea are away to Manchester United on Saturday.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of away

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See also

This is the British English definition of away. View American English definition of away.

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