C1verb2K

Evacuate

UK /["/ɪˈvækjueɪt/","/ɪˈvækjueɪts/","/ɪˈvækjueɪtɪd/","/ɪˈvækjueɪtɪŋ/"]/US /["/ɪˈvækjueɪt/","/ɪˈvækjueɪts/","/ɪˈvækjueɪtɪd/","/ɪˈvækjueɪtɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to move people from a place of danger to a safer place

In simple words: To leave a place to stay safe.

Examples

  • Police evacuated nearby buildings.
  • Children were evacuated from London to escape the bombing.
  • Families were evacuated to safer parts of the city.
  • Every police unit has been ordered to evacuate all civilians.
  • Helicopters were used to evacuate people from their homes.
  • The man has now been safely evacuated to the mainland.
  • to provide aircraft to help evacuate refugees
  • Employees were urged to evacuate their offices immediately.
  • Locals were told to evacuate.

Usage notes

Used in emergency situations, like natural disasters. Avoid using in casual contexts. Suitable for formal announcements.

Grammar pattern

evacuate + object

Memory hint

Think of 'vacuum' – when you evacuate, you're sucking people out for safety.

Collocations

  • immediately
  • safely
  • successfully
  • help (to)
  • need to
  • order somebody to
  • from
  • to
  • immediately
  • safely
  • successfully
  • help (to)
  • need to
  • order somebody to
  • from
  • to

Synonyms

  • evict
  • remove
  • clear out
  • displace
  • exit

Antonyms

  • inhabit
  • stay
  • occupy

Common mistakes

  • Used incorrectly as 'evacuate from' instead of just 'evacuate'
  • Confused with 'vacate' which means to leave a place but not necessarily for safety
  • Misunderstood as 'eject' which has a different implication