Keeps out of the way when around an empty place (6)
I believe the answer is:
avoids
'keeps out of' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'way when around an empty place' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'av' (short for avenue).
'when' becomes 'october' (October is a time or a 'when').
'around' says to take the centre.
'an empty place' becomes 'ids' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The middle letter of 'october' is 'o'.
'av'+'o'+'ids'='AVOIDS'
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for avoids that I've seen before include "Escapes" , "Stays away from" , "Shuns, keeps away from" , "Ducks (out of)" , "Steers clear of, dodges" .)