Avoidable Meaning
/əˈvɔɪdəbl̩/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjCapable of being vacated; liable to be annulled or made invalid; voidable.
adjCapable of being avoided, shunned, or escaped.
Sentence Examples
The accident was entirely avoidable.
I want to cut down any avoidable costs.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The accident was completely ____ if the driver had been paying attention.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The whole accident was easily ____ if they had followed the rules.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English avoid Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English avoidable From avoid + -able.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Beyond the avoidable deaths that are already visible, something ominous is happening below the surface in crisis zones."
— 2026 February 8, Jeremy Konyndyk, “The Aftermath of Feeding America’s Credibility Into the Woodchipper”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 08 Feb 2026:
"For their part, Europeans say they are not wavering from their decision not to get involved in a war they believe was not necessary, that they were not consulted on, and which now has triggered an avoidable global economic crisis."
— 2026 April 5, Howard LaFranchi, “Trump’s war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it’s different.”, in The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Massachusetts: Christian Science Publishing Society, →ISSN, →OCLC:
"Though Mrs Golson re-appeared regularly at the Twyborns', she was on my list of avoidables from the night of the corked moustache until she sprang upon us yesterday."
— 1980, Patrick White, The Twyborn Affair, page 38:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The accident was completely ____ if the driver had been paying attention.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The whole accident was easily ____ if they had followed the rules.