ward off
B2Neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To take action to prevent something harmful or unwanted from happening or approaching.
To keep away or repel a danger, attack, illness, or unwelcome influence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Ward off" implies a defensive, preventative, or protective action. It is often used with abstract threats (depression, boredom) as well as physical ones (attack, illness). The object is typically the unwanted thing, not the person/entity causing it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the phrasal verb identically.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written than spoken English in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + ward off + [Noun Phrase (threat)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ward off the evil eye.”
- “A charm to ward off bad luck.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The company raised capital to ward off a hostile takeover.'
Academic
Used in history, anthropology, medicine: 'Ancient amulets were worn to ward off disease.'
Everyday
Most common: 'I take vitamin C to ward off colds.'
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts; possible in security/military: 'Systems designed to ward off cyber attacks.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He carried a talisman to ward off evil spirits.
- The goalkeeper managed to ward off several powerful shots.
- A good breakfast can help ward off mid-morning hunger.
American English
- She used insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes.
- The new policy aims to ward off economic decline.
- He raised his arm to ward off the blow.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form derived from 'ward off'.
American English
- No common adverbial form derived from 'ward off'.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form derived from 'ward off'.
American English
- No common adjectival form derived from 'ward off'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Garlic is thought to ward off vampires in old stories.
- He put up his umbrella to ward off the rain.
- I drink ginger tea to ward off a sore throat.
- The castle walls were built to ward off invaders.
- The government introduced measures to ward off a financial crisis.
- She tried to ward off feelings of anxiety by staying busy.
- Diplomatic efforts were intensified to ward off the impending conflict.
- The placebo effect can sometimes help ward off minor symptoms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GUARD (sounds like 'ward') standing at a door, using his arms to PUSH OFF (off) an intruder. A GUARD WARDS OFF danger.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER/UNWANTED THINGS ARE PHYSICAL ENTITIES THAT CAN BE KEPT AT A DISTANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating word-for-word as "охранять от". Better equivalents are "отгонять", "отражать", "предотвращать", "отводить" (угрозу).
- Do not confuse with "ward" meaning hospital room or district (палата, район).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'She warded off from the attack.' (No 'from' needed) Correct: 'She warded off the attack.'
- Incorrect: *'I warded the cold off me.' (Object is the cold, not 'me') Correct: 'I warded off the cold.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'ward off' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is separable. 'He warded the attack off' is possible, though 'He warded off the attack' is more common.
Not directly. You ward off what the person *does* (an attack, a kiss, a question) rather than the person themselves. You ward off the attacker's blow, not the attacker.
'Ward off' often implies a last-minute or immediate defensive action against something that is imminent or threatening. 'Prevent' has a broader scope and can refer to stopping something from happening at any stage, including through long-term planning.
The related noun is 'ward' (as in 'the ward of a sword'), but it is archaic. More common conceptual nouns are 'deterrent' or 'prevention'. 'Warding-off' as a gerund is possible but uncommon.