away

Formsaways, awaying, awayed

1. 1
   adverb

   In a direction leading off from a place, person, or thing, or turned toward another direction; also used without a verb in commands.

   The crowd backed away as the fire spread across the roof.

   He waved once and then walked away down the empty road.

   UsageFollows the verb: go away, walk away, run away from something.

   Similaroff

2. 2
   adverb

   At a stated distance in space or time, measured from a given point of reference.

   Their cabin sits about three hundred yards away from the lake.

   The next eclipse is several years away.

   UsageThe distance comes before it: ten miles away, two months away; add from for the starting point.

   Similaroff

3. 3
   getting rid ofadverb

   So as to discard something or get rid of it.

   We threw away the spoiled food without a second thought.

   She gave away her old toys to a local charity.

   UsageUsed with throw, give and similar verbs; a personal object pronoun goes in the middle: throw it away (not incorrect: throw away it).

   Similarout

4. 4
   at a distanceadjective

   Situated at a specified distance off in space or time, or by extension in a figurative sense.

   The finish line felt impossibly far away by the final lap.

   Their dream of owning a home seemed years away.

   UsageAfter be, the measure comes first: a week away, miles away, years away.

   Similaroff, distant

   Oppositenear, close

5. 5
   adverb

   So as to disappear, diminish, or be removed or used up, often gradually.

   The final notes of the song died away into silence.

   Over centuries the river has slowly worn away the soft rock along its banks.

   UsageCommon in fade away, die away, melt away and wear away.

6. 6
   absentadjective

   Not present in the usual place; gone, absent, unavailable, or traveling for a period of time.

   She has been away from the office recovering from surgery.

   Both partners were away when the package arrived.

   UsageUsually after be: she is away until Monday, away from the office, away on business.

   Similarabsent, gone, out

   Oppositepresent, here (entry), in, home

7. 7
   adverb

   Continuously and without stopping, often freely and without holding back.

   She set to work and toiled away through the whole night.

   The children chattered away happily in the back seat for the whole drive.

   UsageAfter an action verb, often an -ing form, with at for the task: working away at a report.

   Similaron

8. 8
   opponent's groundadjective

   Taking place at the opponent's ground rather than one's own home venue.

   The club has struggled to win away fixtures all season.

   Supporters packed the stands for the crucial away game.

   UsageBefore a noun, an away game, away fans, or after a verb with no preposition: they play away this week.

   Oppositehome

9. 9
   adverb

   Into or toward the place where something is usually kept, especially somewhere safe or out of sight.

   He stashed the cash away in a hidden floor safe.

   Before the guests arrived, he hid the presents away on the top shelf of the closet.

   UsageCommon with put, hide, lock and tuck: put your toys away.

10. 10
    set out (poetic)verbliteraryintransitive

    To depart and make one's way to another place.

    Similardepart, go (entry), leave

    Oppositestay, remain

    Note

    A verb made from the adverb, kept for poetic or deliberately elevated narration and for Scottish speech: let us away, he awayed to bed. It takes no object, and a destination often follows with to, though Scottish speech also says away up the road. It inflects like any regular verb (aways, awaying, awayed), though those forms look stranger on the page than the bare one. Source

    Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

    • The verb is formed from the adverb by conversion. silc.fhn-shu.com
    • It is also used in Scottish speech. en.wiktionary.org
    • Other destination expressions are possible, including up the road. en.wiktionary.org

Showing meanings only. Show all 13