away
adverb /əˈweɪ/
/əˈweɪ/
For the special uses of away in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get away with something is in the phrasal verb section at get.Idioms - to or at a distance from somebody/something in space or time
- The beach is a mile away.
- Christmas is still months away.
- away from somebody/something The president was kept well away from the demonstrators.
- The station is a few minutes' walk away from here.
- The main landfill site was moved further away from the city.
- to a different place or in a different direction
- Go away!
- Put your toys away.
- The bright light made her look away.
- not present synonym absent
- There were ten children away yesterday.
- Sorry, he's away.
- away from somebody/something She was away from work for a week.
- used after verbs to say that something is done continuously or with a lot of energy
- She was still writing away furiously when the bell went.
- They were soon chatting away like old friends.
- until disappearing completely
- The water boiled away.
- The music faded away.
- (sport) at the opponent’s ground or stadium
- Chelsea are playing away this Saturday.
Word OriginOld English onweg, aweg ‘on one's way’ (from a- ‘to, towards’ and way).
Idioms
away with…
- (literary) used to say that you would like to be rid of somebody/something
- Away with all these rules and regulations!
blow/clear the cobwebs away
- to help somebody have a fresh, lively state of mind again
- A brisk walk should blow the cobwebs away.
dance the night away
- to dance for the whole evening or night
far and away
- (followed by comparative or superlative adjectives) by a very great amount
- She's far and away the best player.
right away/off
- immediately; without delay
- I want it sent right away.
- I told him right off what I thought of him.
straight away
- immediately; without delay synonym at once
- I'll do it straight away.