a
way
2
in a descending direction, typically to a lower point or elevation
- The hillside sloped sharply away toward the river.
- The path falls away just past the ridge.
- The ground drops away beneath the cliff.
- Her voice trailed off as the elevator sank away.
- The steps lead away down into darkness.
3
from the center of thought or action, shifting focus elsewhere
- His attention drifted away during the meeting.
- The campaign moved away from policy and toward personality.
- The conversation turned away from politics.
- The focus shifted away from tradition to innovation.
- Public interest has turned away from print media in recent years.
Synonyms:
5
so as to gradually disappear, diminish, or cease to exist
- The dust blew away in the wind.
- The excitement wore away after the event was over.
- The ice melted away in the sun.
- The noise faded away after a while.
- His anger ebbed away as he listened.
6
in a continuous or uninterrupted manner
- He worked away at the task for hours.
- The baby was babbling away happily.
- The old clock ticked away in the corner.
- They chatted away without pause.
- She typed away on her laptop.
7
in the process of departure or movement
- They got away early in the morning.
- The train pulled away from the station.
- We set away before dawn.
- The convoy moved away at full speed.
- She slipped away quietly during the speech.
Synonyms:
8
out of one's possession or control
- He gave away a fortune to various charities.
- She threw away all the old letters.
- The magician made the coin disappear away in a puff of smoke.
- They sold away their family land years ago.
- He signed away his rights without reading the contract.
Synonyms:
9
at the opponent's stadium or field
- Chelsea will play away in their next match.
- The match will be away, so we have to travel.
- The team won their game away by two goals.
- Manchester United will play away against Liverpool next week.
- They faced challenges both at home and away during the season.
10
(baseball) toward the outer edge of the plate from the batter's viewpoint
- The pitch sailed away outside the strike zone.
- The ball broke down and away from the lefty.
- He threw a fastball away on the corner.
- The curveball drifted away from the hitter.
- The catcher set up away for the next pitch.
11
immediately, without delay or hesitation
- Fire away when you're ready.
- Ask away, I'm listening.
- Go away and get started now.
- Start away without waiting for us.
- Speak away, don't hold back.