away

Away is a versatile English word primarily used as an adverb or preposition to denote distance from a location, removal, or separation. It can also function as an adjective in certain contexts, notably in sports where “away” describes the visiting side, for example in phrases like “an away game” or “the away team.” In everyday language it appears in expressions such as “go away,” “stay away,” and “away from home.” In modern communication, “away” can indicate unavailability, as in “I am away” or status indicators such as “Away from keyboard” (AFK).

Etymology

The word comes from Old English āweg, formed from the prefix ā- meaning away and weg meaning way. The sense has broadened from “off the road” to cover general distance and absence.

Usage notes

In terms of distance, away indicates how far something is, as in “The city is miles away.” It also signals removal or separation, as in “take away” or “throw away.” Temporal distance can be expressed as “a long way away.” In technology and online culture, “Away mode” refers to a state where background tasks run while the user is not actively present, and AFK stands for “away from keyboard.” In sports, the term designates games played at the opponent’s venue, as in “the away game” or “the away team.”