Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

avast

/əˈvæst/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.45 in modern English

Syllables
avast
IPA
/əˈvæst/
8
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

intj

Listen! Pay attention!

Informal

Example Sentences

Etymology

Probably borrowed from Dutch hou vast, houd vast (“hold fast!”), from houd (imperative of houden, “to hold”) + vast (“fast, firm, tight”). Doublet of hold fast.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /əˈvæst/
  • British English: /əˈvɑːst/

Usage

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

desist stay avast [⇒ thesaurus]! beware! blackfriars! cave! cheese it! heads up! hey up! hist! look alive! look lively!

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce avast?
The recorded pronunciation is /əˈvæst/.
What does avast mean?
Hold fast! Cease! Stop! Desist!
Where does avast come from?
It is traced to Dutch.

How to pronounce avast

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “avast”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈvæst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “avast”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “avast” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.