What does "ward off" mean?

To prevent something harmful To protect against or keep away danger or illness.

How do you use "ward off" in a sentence?

Vitamin C helps ward off colds. They tried to ward off the attack. Garlic is said to ward off vampires.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Neutral

Meaning: To prevent something harmful

抵御，避开

Prevenir, protegerse de, ahuyentar

防ぐ、寄せ付けない

막다, 물리치다

To protect against or keep away danger or illness.

防止有害的事物，保护自己免受危险或疾病侵害。

Protegerse contra algo dañino o mantener alejado el peligro o la enfermedad.

危険や病気から身を守る、または遠ざける。

위험이나 질병으로부터 보호하거나 멀리하는 것을 의미한다.

Base verb: ward

Particle: off

Separable: Yes — the object can go between the verb and particle

Vitamin C helps ward off colds.
维生素C有助于预防感冒
La vitamina C ayuda a prevenir los resfriados
ビタミンCは風邪の予防に役立つ
비타민 C는 감기 예방에 도움이 된다.
They tried to ward off the attack.
他们试图抵御攻击
Intentaron repeler el ataque
彼らは攻撃を防ごうとした
그들은 공격을 막으려 했다.
Garlic is said to ward off vampires.
据说大蒜能驱除吸血鬼
Se dice que el ajo ahuyenta a los vampiros
ニンニクは吸血鬼を寄せ付けないと言われている
마늘은 뱀파이어를 물리친다고 한다.

Context: prevention, protection

Tone: defensive

From guarding or protecting.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal