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verb es·cape \is-ˈkāp, es-, dial iks-ˈkāp\

Simple Definition of escape


  • : to get away from a dangerous place or situation

  • : to get away from something that is difficult or unpleasant

Full Definition of escape


  1. intransitive verb
  2. 1 a :  to get away (as by flight) <escaped from prison> b :  to issue from confinement <gas is escaping> c of a plant :  to run wild from cultivation

  3. 2 :  to avoid a threatening evil <the boat sank but the crew escaped>

  4. transitive verb
  5. 1 :  to get free of :  break away from <escape the jungle> <escape the solar system>

  6. 2 :  to get or stay out of the way of :  avoid <efforts to escape poverty>

  7. 3 :  to fail to be noticed or recallable by <his name escapes me>

  8. 4 a :  to issue from <a smile escaped me> b :  to be uttered involuntarily by <a sigh of relief escaped her>

es·cap·er noun

Examples of escape

  1. They managed to escape from the burning building.



  4. trying to help people to escape poverty

  5. trying to help people to escape from poverty

  6. He succeeded in escaping punishment for many years.

  7. A few passengers somehow escaped injury.


  9. Several passengers escaped without injury.

Origin of escape


First Known Use: 13th century

Synonym Discussion of escape




noun es·cape

Simple Definition of escape

  • : an act of escaping from a place, situation, etc.

  • : a way of escaping from a place, situation, etc.


Full Definition of escape

  1. 1 :  an act or instance of escaping: as a :  flight from confinement b :  evasion of something undesirable c :  leakage or outflow especially of a fluid d :  distraction or relief from routine or reality

  2. 2 :  a means of escape

  3. 3 :  a cultivated plant run wild

Examples of escape

  1. The prisoners attempted a daring escape.




  5. The door was locked; there was no escape.

  6. Gardening offered an escape from her busy life.

  7. an accidental escape of poisonous gases

  8. trying to prevent further escape of liquid

14th Century

First Known Use of escape

14th century



adjective es·cape

Definition of escape

  1. 1 :  providing a means of escape <escape literature>

  2. 2 :  providing a means of evading a regulation, claim, or commitment <an escape clause in a contract>


First Known Use of escape


Seen and Heard



February 11, 2016

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