eschew
Low (C2)Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To deliberately avoid or abstain from something, typically on moral or practical grounds.
To consciously stay away from a particular behaviour, practice, or item, often because it is considered undesirable, harmful, or against one's principles.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a conscious, often principled, rejection. Stronger than simple 'avoid'; suggests a considered and persistent policy of avoidance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more literary and slightly more common in British English in certain formal/academic registers, but the difference is marginal.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, used primarily in formal writing and speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + eschew + [Direct Object (Noun/Noun Phrase)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company's ethos is to eschew short-term profits in favour of sustainable growth." (Formal reports)
Academic
"The researcher chose to eschew quantitative methods, opting for a purely qualitative analysis."
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously or for emphasis: "I'm trying to eschew sugar this month."
Technical
Limited use. Possible in philosophy, ethics, or certain social sciences to describe principled avoidance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Wise investors often eschew get-rich-quick schemes.
- The author eschewed modern punctuation in his novel.
American English
- The new diet recommends eschewing all processed foods.
- He eschews the spotlight despite his fame.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My doctor told me to eschew fatty foods.
- The monk eschews all personal possessions.
- The political manifesto explicitly eschews populist rhetoric in favour of evidence-based policy.
- Many artists consciously eschew commercial success to maintain creative freedom.
- His philosophical stance led him to eschew not only materialism but also the very concept of ownership.
- The treaty was remarkable for eschewing punitive measures, focusing instead on collaborative development.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ES-CHEW' – If you must chew on a difficult decision, you might decide to ES-CHEW (avoid) a bad option.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS DISTANCING / PURITY IS AVOIDING CONTAMINATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the more general 'избегать' (to avoid). 'Eschew' carries a stronger sense of moral/purposeful rejection, closer to 'отрекаться', 'отказываться от' or 'сторониться' with a principled connotation.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'escape' (e.g., 'He eschewed the burning building') – incorrect. Using it for unintentional avoidance.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'eschew' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word (C2 level). It is most common in academic, literary, or very formal writing and speech.
It comes from the Old French word 'eschiver', ultimately of Germanic origin, related to 'shy'.
No, it is not standard. 'Eschew' takes a direct noun object. Use 'avoid + -ing' form if you need a verbal concept (e.g., 'He avoids eating meat' not 'He eschews to eat meat').
'Avoid' is general and neutral. 'Eschew' implies a deliberate, often principled, decision to abstain from something considered wrong, unhealthy, or undesirable.