Language Research

away · adverb

/əˈweɪ/Full view

away (SOMEWHERE ELSE)

A2 in a different place, position or situation

Dictionary examples:

Just go away and leave me alone!

Would you like your burger to eat in or take out?

She's away on vacation until the end of the week.

Keep/Stay away from him.

Learner example:

I have [an] important exam on your wedding day [in] another city far away from my city. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Farsi)

away (DISTANCE FROM)

A2 at a particular distance from a place

Dictionary examples:

The nearest town was ten miles away.

The office is a half-hour drive away.

We live 5 miles away from the ocean.

Learner example:

I like it because its remote control could control distances [of] 1 or 2 meters away. (Key English Test; A2; Bengali)

away (INTO PLACE)

B1 in or into the usual or a suitable place, especially one that can be closed

Dictionary examples:

Could you put the ice-cream away in the freezer?

My grandparents had money hidden away in an old shoe box.

Learner example:

I am going to put all the toys away. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

two weeks/five hours, etc. away

B1 at a particular time in the future

Dictionary example:

My English exam's only a week away and I haven't even started to prepare.

Learner example:

Christmas is just a few months away, and I do not inten[d] to spend it all alone like in the past few years, so I am writing to invite you [to] my real Christmas party without my parents. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

away (GRADUALLY)

B2 gradually disappearing until mostly or completely gone

Dictionary examples:

All the snow had melted away.

The music faded away as the procession moved slowly up the street.

Learner example:

I always feel so fatigued at the end of the day but after a mile, the aches of the day seem to fade away. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

away (CONTINUOUS ACTION)

C2 used after a verb to mean "continuously" or "repeatedly"

Dictionary example:

Chris was hammering away in the garden all day.

Learner example:

They chatted away for a while as Malcolm had to wait for the airport taxi. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

away (SPORTS)

C1 If a sports team is playing away, the game is at the place where the other team usually plays.

Dictionary example:

They were playing away.