Avoidant is an adjective that describes someone who tends to avoid or shy away from certain situations, people, or experiences due to feelings of anxiety, discomfort, or fear. This term can be used in various contexts such as psychology, where it refers to a personality trait characterized by an individual's tendency to withdraw socially and have difficulty forming close relationships with others; or in the field of medicine, where avoidant behavior may indicate a patient's reluctance to discuss certain health concerns or undergo necessary medical procedures.