verb

refrain

rih-FRAYN

verb

To stop oneself from doing something; to hold back.

"Please refrain from smoking near the entrance."

"She refrained from commenting on the rumor."

noun

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."

A frequently repeated remark, complaint, or idea.

""We need more funding" has become a familiar refrain among teachers."

How to Use Refrain

Learner’s notes

In 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

refrained past tense, refrains plural, refrains singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Please _____ from smoking near the entrance.

From Old French refrener, from Latin refrenare ("to bridle, hold back"), from re- plus frenum ("a bridle").

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