refuge

The word “refuge” means safety or shelter from danger or difficulty. In plain terms, a safe place, or the state of being safe, especially when escaping danger.

“Refuge” is pronounced REHF-yooj (/ˈɹɛfjuːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

Here is “refuge” used in a sentence: “They took refuge in a nearby church during the storm.”

Words with a similar meaning to “refuge” include haven, sanctuary, zoar, asylum, bield and shelter.

“Refuge” is a noun.

The word “refuge” comes from Latin. From Old French refuge, from Latin refugium, built from re- ("back") plus fugere ("to flee") — literally "a place to flee back to.".

“Refuge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Refuge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: safety or shelter from danger or difficulty.

Refuge is the safety or shelter itself, or a place that provides it, as in "they took refuge from the storm." A refugee is a person who seeks that safety, especially someone forced to flee their own country.

Refuge is general safety or shelter from danger, while asylum is more formal and often legal, referring to protection granted by a country to someone fleeing persecution. All asylum is a form of refuge, but not all refuge is asylum.

Both mean a place of safety, but sanctuary often carries a sense of sacredness or an officially protected area, such as a wildlife sanctuary. Refuge emphasises escape from immediate danger or hardship.

Refuge often appears in phrases such as "take refuge," "seek refuge," "a place of refuge," and "wildlife refuge." The verbs "take" and "seek" are its most common partners.