wɔːrd ɒf
formal
advanced
- Base verb:
- ward
- Particle:
- off
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "ward off" mean?
To prevent something undesirable from happening
Examples
- Aggressive pricing strategies to ward off competition.
- Vitamin C is taken to ward off the common cold.
- Efforts to ward off sanctions proved unsuccessful.
- She wore garlic to ward off vampires.
How to use it
Used in medical, military, and business contexts.
Word order
Can be separated: 'ward the threat off'.
Similar expressions
repel
avert
fend off
stave off
Opposites
attract
invite
welcome
Related phrasal verbs
- turn off
To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button
- get off
To leave a bus, train, plane, or other public transport
- go off
To explode or fire (bomb, gun, fireworks)
- give off
To emit or produce something (smell, heat, light, radiation)
- come off
To become detached or separated
- put off
To postpone or delay something
Use it in a practice answer
Try "ward off" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.