Avert Meaning
/əˈvɝt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo turn aside or away.
verbTo ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of.
Sentence Examples
Skillful diplomacy helps to avert war.
No one can avert death.
Aliens had the power to avert war on Earth.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The quick braking helped the driver ____ a serious collision on the highway.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The quick actions of the pilot helped ____ a major disaster at sea.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English averten, adverten, from Old French avertir (“turn, direct, avert; turn the attention, make aware”), from Latin āvertere, from ab + vertō (“to turn”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church."
— 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Unity in Religion”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
"Till ardent prayer averts the public woe."
— 1700, Matthew Prior, Carmen Seculare. for the Year 1700:
"Indeed, there was some highly questionable jiggery-pokery with couplings and continuous brakes in this agreeable story, which featured Moore Marriott as an old driver who averts a disaster on his last run."
— 1958 February 26, David Gunston, “Railways on the Screen”, in Railway Magazine, page 90:
"Cold and averting from our neighbour's good."
— a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, […], published 1768, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The quick braking helped the driver ____ a serious collision on the highway.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The quick actions of the pilot helped ____ a major disaster at sea.