Definition of Avert: To turn attention to
Definition of Advert: To turn something away
Avert and Advert are both verbs in their neutral forms, and have opposite meanings. Advert means “to turn attention to” and avert means “to turn something away”:
The teacher adverted our attention to the lesson on the board.
We averted our eyes when the violence began.
Their caution averted an accident.
These often confused words also differ in terms of common usage. Avert can be used in daily conversation, as shown above. Adverted is used less commonly and less casually; it has an academic or official tone, and is not used in modern American English at all—only in relatively formal British English.
You should also know that the British have another word, advert, which is an abbreviation for “advertisement,” while Americans just say and write ad:
British: Look at that advert on the telly!
American: Look at that ad on the tv!
Although British people understand ad, Americans may not recognize advert.
Examples of How to Use Avert in a Sentence
- She averted her eyes from the horror of the scene.
- In the movie, the use of music and montages help avert the audience's attention from the crime.
- We are not using all our resources to avert an environmental catastrophe.
- The company is now trying to avert bankruptcy by cutting costs.
- The government is trying to avert an economic meltdown and recession by cutting taxes and spending more money on social programs like food stamps and public housing for low-income families.
- The company's PR tactics have successfully averted a lawsuit by their employees for low wages and bad working conditions.
- She averted further drama by telling him the truth.
- The politician's comments about the issue were designed to avert the anger of his followers.
Examples of How to Use Advert in a Sentence
- If you need a quick response, you could buy an advert in the paper.
- Have you seen this new TV advert?
- I think the company's new advert is really clever.
- They put an advert in the window for a new position at their company.
- The new detective averted her eyes from the crime scene.
- John and Sue averted their eyes from the camera.
- The advert was so good that I bought the product.
- I don't mean to sound grouchy, but I am tired of adverts interrupting my videos.