# getaway

/ˈɡɛtəˌweɪ/ (US) · /ɡˈɛtəwˌeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/getaway
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a short holiday

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short trip or holiday, often to a quiet or relaxing place.

For teachers: a brief vacation or recreational trip, typically taken to escape a routine or stressful environment.

- We are planning a quick weekend getaway to the mountains to see the snow.
- The coastal cottage serves as the perfect weekend getaway for city dwellers seeking a reprieve from the relentless pace of urban life.

### 2. an escape

noun · CEFR B2

the act of escaping from a place, especially after committing a crime.

For teachers: the act of escaping or departing rapidly, particularly from a scene of a crime or a restrictive situation.

- The bank robbers made a clean getaway before the police arrived.
- Despite the heavy security presence at the perimeter, the prisoners managed a daring getaway under the cover of a heavy midnight fog.

### 3. used for escaping

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something used to help someone escape, like a car.

For teachers: pertaining to or used in an escape; almost exclusively used as an attributive adjective modifying nouns like 'car', 'driver', or 'vehicle'.

- The thieves left their getaway car in a dark alley two miles from the store.
- Witnesses reported seeing a silver sedan acting as the getaway vehicle, though the license plate had been obscured by mud.

Usage: Always used before a noun.

## Examples

- We are planning a weekend getaway to the mountains.
- The island is the perfect getaway for anyone looking to escape the noise and stress of the city.
- The suspects used a stolen motorcycle to make a quick getaway through the narrow alleyways before the police could establish a perimeter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.