away

Formsaways, awaying, awayed

1. 1
   adverb

   Farther from someone or something, or in another direction. Also used to tell someone to leave or take something elsewhere.

   Like a boat drifting farther and farther from the shore.

   The frightened cat ran away into the bushes.

   She pushed the plate away and stood up.

   UsageSay go away or run away from someone.

   Similaroff

2. 2
   adverb

   At a certain distance in space or time from a point.

   The nearest gas station is ten miles away.

   The holidays are still two months away.

   UsagePut the distance first: ten miles away.

   Similaroff

3. 3
   getting rid ofadverb

   In a way that throws something out or gets rid of it.

   Like clearing your desk by tossing everything you don't need into the trash.

   She threw away the old newspapers without reading them.

   Please give away the clothes you no longer wear.

   UsageSay throw it away (not incorrect: throw away it).

   Similarout

4. 4
   at a distanceadjective

   Located a set distance off in space or time.

   The summit looked close, but it was still a mile away.

   With finals only a week away, she finally started studying.

   UsageSay it is a week away.

   Similaroff, distant

   Oppositenear, close

5. 5
   adverb

   So that something becomes less or disappears, often slowly, by fading, wearing down, or being used up.

   Like mist disappearing as the sun comes up.

   The evening light slowly faded away.

   His anger melted away when he saw her smile.

   UsageSay fade away or melt away.

6. 6
   absentadjective

   Not here right now because you have gone somewhere else.

   The manager is away until Monday morning.

   I'll be away on vacation all next week.

   UsageSay someone is away, or away on a trip.

   Similarabsent, gone, out

   Oppositepresent, here (entry), in, home

7. 7
   adverb

   Without stopping, or freely and a lot, as in 'working away' or 'chatting away'.

   Like a clock that keeps ticking and never pauses.

   She sang away happily while she cleaned the kitchen.

   He kept typing away until the report was done.

   UsageSay typing away or working away at something.

   Similaron

8. 8
   opponent's groundadjective

   Played or held at the other team's ground, not at your own.

   Like going to a friend's house to play instead of having them come to yours.

   Our team won the away match last weekend.

   Fans traveled hundreds of miles to support the away side.

   UsageSay an away game, or a team plays away.

   Oppositehome

9. 9
   adverb

   Into the place where something is kept, or somewhere safe or hidden.

   The guards locked the suspect away for the night.

   She tucked the spare key away under a flowerpot.

   UsageSay put something away.

10. 10
    set out (poetic)verbliteraryintransitive

    To leave one place and travel to another.

    Similardepart, go (entry), leave

    Oppositestay, remain

    Note

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