What does "away" mean?

1. (to another place) to or at a distance from a particular place, person, or thing. 2. (distance in space or time) at a certain distance from a place or a point in time. 3. (continuously) to do something continuously or with a lot of energy. 4. (storing something) putting something in its usual place, like a cupboard or drawer. 5. (absent) not present in a place; gone somewhere else for a while. 6. (sports) played at the opponent's ground rather than your own.

away

US //əˈweɪ// UK //ɐwˈeɪ// away

1 to another place (adv.)
A1 Beginner

to or at a distance from a particular place, person, or thing.

indicating movement to a distance or a position of separation from a specific point.

Example

The cat ran away when it heard the loud noise from the street.

Example

The suspect turned and walked away from the scene before the authorities could arrive to question the witnesses.
- here
- back
2 distance in space or time (adv.)
A2 Elementary

at a certain distance from a place or a point in time.

denoting a specific interval of space or time from the present or a reference point.

Example

The nearest gas station is about five miles away from here.

Example

The wedding is still six months away, yet the couple has already finalized the guest list and the venue.
- distant
- off

Show 4 more sensesShow fewer

3 continuously (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to do something continuously or with a lot of energy.

indicating persistence, continuity, or intensity in an action.

Example

She was working away at her computer late into the night.

Example

The researchers have been chipping away at the problem for years, finally reaching a breakthrough in the last quarter.
4 storing something (adv.)
A2 Elementary

putting something in its usual place, like a cupboard or drawer.

indicating the movement of an object into a designated storage or secure location.

Example

Please put your toys away before you go to bed.

Example

After the dinner party, they carefully tucked the fine china away in the velvet-lined cabinet.
- aside
- up
- out
5 absent (adj.)
A1 Beginner

not present in a place; gone somewhere else for a while.

not present in a given location; absent or traveling.

Example

I will be away on vacation for the next two weeks.

Example

The manager is currently away on a business trip and will not be responding to emails until Monday morning.
- present
- here
6 sports (adj.)
A2 Elementary Sport

played at the opponent's ground rather than your own.

relating to a game played at the opponent's stadium or grounds.

Example

Our team has a difficult away game against the league leaders this Saturday.

Example

The team struggled during their away fixtures this season, failing to secure a single victory outside their home stadium.
- visiting
- home

Etymology 1

From Middle English away, awey, awei, oway, o wey, on way, from Old English āweġ, onweġ (“away”), originally on weġ (“on one's way; onward; on”), equivalent to a- (“on”) + way. Cognate with Scots awa, away (“away”), Old Frisian aweg, awei (“away”), Saterland Frisian wäch, wääge (“away”), Dutch weg (“away”), German weg (“away”), Danish væk (“away”), Swedish i väg (“away; off; along”).

Etymology 2

See aweigh.

Idioms68 entries