What does avoidance mean?
Avoidance is the act of keeping away from someone or something, or of deliberately refraining from doing something. It functions primarily as a noun and covers a wide range of behaviours: physically steering clear of a person, dodging an awkward topic, postponing an unpleasant task, or legally arranging one's finances so as to reduce a liability. The word is common in psychology, where avoidance behaviour — sidestepping feared situations rather than facing them — is recognized as a central feature of anxiety. In law and finance, 'tax avoidance' refers to minimizing tax within the letter of the law and must be carefully distinguished from 'tax evasion', which is illegal. Though often neutral in tone, avoidance frequently carries negative connotations: it suggests reluctance, fear, or evasion of responsibility, and in interpersonal contexts it can signal unresolved conflict or emotional distress. Its opposite impulse is confrontation or engagement — meeting what one would rather flee.
nounThe action of keeping away from or shunning a person, thing, or situation; the act of refraining from doing something.
- The general act or habit of keeping away from someone or something, whether physically, emotionally, or socially.
- The deliberate act of not doing something — refraining from an action, duty, or obligation.
- In legal and financial contexts, the lawful structuring of affairs to escape a liability, especially tax avoidance.
"His careful avoidance of the subject made his discomfort obvious to everyone at the table."
"Her avoidance of eye contact during the interview suggested she had something to hide."
"The company restructured its overseas operations as part of legitimate tax avoidance planning."
In law and psychology alike, 'avoidance' is the polite word for running away — and in tax law it's perfectly legal to do so.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of avoidance
Avoidance derives from the verb 'avoid', which entered English from Anglo-Norman French 'avoider', ultimately rooted in the Old French 'vuidier' meaning 'to empty'. This traces back through Vulgar Latin to Latin 'viduus', meaning 'empty' or 'widowed', the source also of English 'void'. The sense evolved from literally emptying oneself out of a place to figuratively withdrawing or keeping clear of it. Cognates sharing this lineage include 'void' and 'devoid'.
How avoidance is actually used
'Avoidance' is largely neutral in everyday use but carries strongly negative connotations when describing psychological avoidance (a hallmark of anxiety disorders) or conflict avoidance in relationships. In British and American legal usage, 'tax avoidance' is explicitly distinguished from 'tax evasion', which is criminal.
Easily confused with avoidance
Tax avoidance is the lawful arrangement of one's affairs to minimize tax, whereas evasion is the illegal failure to pay taxes owed.