# avoidance

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈvɔɪdəns/ · frequency rank #14,070

## Definitions
1. The act of avoiding or shunning; keeping clear of.
2. The act of annulling; annulment.
3. The act of becoming vacant, or the state of being vacant, specifically used for the state of a benefice becoming void by the death, deprivation, or resignation of the incumbent.
4. The act of dismissing a person.
5. The act of quitting a position or benefice.
6. The course by which anything (especially water) is carried off.

## Etymology
From Middle English avoidaunce, from avoid + -ance.

## Easily confused with
- **avoidable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/avoidable-vs-avoidance)

## Common misspellings (13)
`aovidance`, `aviodance`, `avodiance`, `avoiadnce`, `avoidacne`, `avoidancce`, `avoidanec`, `avoidannce`, `avoiddance`, `avoidence`, `avoidnace`, `avvoidance`, `vaoidance`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/avoidance