refrain
rih-FRAYN
Refrain (verb) means to stop oneself from doing something; to hold back. Example: “Please refrain from smoking near the entrance.”
verb
1
To stop oneself from doing something; to hold back.
"Please refrain from smoking near the entrance."
"She refrained from commenting on the rumor."
"I tried to refrain from laughing while the teacher told his story."
noun
1
A line or phrase repeated throughout a song or poem, often at the end of each verse.
"The crowd joined in on the chorus's catchy refrain."
"The refrain of the folk song was easy to learn after one verse."
"Each verse of the poem ends with the same sad refrain."
2
A frequently repeated remark, complaint, or idea.
""We need more funding" has become a familiar refrain among teachers."
""Not enough hours in the day" is a common refrain among busy parents."
"The neighbours' refrain all summer was that the road works were far too noisy."
How to use refrain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold yourself back from doing something, or (as a noun) a repeated line in a song or a frequently repeated comment.
Common mistake
Followed by "from," not "of" or "to": "refrain from talking," not "refrain to talk."
Common pairings
refrain from
a familiar refrain
catchy refrain
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Word forms
- Plural
- refrains
- Third person singular
- refrains
- Past tense
- refrained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ from smoking near the entrance.
Etymology
From Old French refrener, from Latin refrenare ("to bridle, hold back"), from re- plus frenum ("a bridle").
Related words
Rhymes for refrain
See all rhymes for refrain →Frequently asked questions
What does “refrain” mean?
The word “refrain” means to stop oneself from doing something; to hold back. In plain terms, to hold yourself back from doing something, or (as a noun) a repeated line in a song or a frequently repeated comment.
How do you pronounce “refrain”?
“Refrain” is pronounced rih-FRAYN (/ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “refrain” in a sentence?
Here is “refrain” used in a sentence: “Please refrain from smoking near the entrance.”
What part of speech is “refrain”?
Depending on how it is used, “refrain” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “refrain” come from?
The word “refrain” comes from Latin. From Old French refrener, from Latin refrenare ("to bridle, hold back"), from re- plus frenum ("a bridle").
Is “refrain” a common word?
“Refrain” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “refrain” have?
“Refrain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop oneself from doing something; to hold back.
What is the difference between refrain and abstain?
Refrain means to stop oneself from doing something in a general sense, often temporarily or in a specific situation, such as asking someone to refrain from talking during a movie. Abstain has a narrower, often more formal use, especially for voting, food, or drink, as in abstaining from alcohol or abstaining from a vote. Refrain is broader and more commonly used in everyday requests.
When should you use refrain instead of chorus for a song?
Refrain and chorus are often used interchangeably for the repeated line or section of a song, but refrain more precisely refers to the repeated phrase itself, while chorus can also describe the group of singers performing it. In poetry, refrain is the standard term for a recurring line at the end of each verse.
What does it mean when someone says 'that's her constant refrain'?
This use of refrain describes a frequently repeated remark, complaint, or idea that someone brings up again and again, similar to how a musical refrain recurs throughout a song. It carries a slightly weary or resigned tone, suggesting the listener has heard it many times before.
