refuge
REHF-yooj
Refuge (noun) means Safety or shelter from danger or difficulty. Example: “The hikers sought refuge under a rocky ledge when the hail began.”
noun
1
Safety or shelter from danger or difficulty.
"The hikers sought refuge under a rocky ledge when the hail began."
"They took refuge in a nearby church during the storm."
"She found refuge in music whenever things got stressful."
2
A place that provides shelter or protection, such as a nature reserve.
"The town opened a refuge for families who had lost their homes in the flood."
"Volunteers run a small refuge for injured hedgehogs on the edge of the village."
"The wildlife refuge protects several endangered bird species."
How to use refuge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA safe place, or the state of being safe, especially when escaping danger.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take refuge
seek refuge
wildlife refuge
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Word forms
- Plural
- refuges
- Third person singular
- refuges
- Past tense
- refuged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hikers sought _____ under a rocky ledge when the hail began.
Etymology
From Old French refuge, from Latin refugium, built from re- ("back") plus fugere ("to flee") — literally "a place to flee back to."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for refuge
See all rhymes for refuge →Frequently asked questions
What does “refuge” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “refuge”?
“Refuge” is pronounced REHF-yooj (/ˈɹɛfjuːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “refuge” in a sentence?
Here is “refuge” used in a sentence: “They took refuge in a nearby church during the storm.”
What is another word for “refuge”?
Words with a similar meaning to “refuge” include haven, sanctuary, zoar, asylum, bield and shelter.
What part of speech is “refuge”?
“Refuge” is a noun.
Where does the word “refuge” come from?
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.".
Is “refuge” a common word?
“Refuge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “refuge” have?
“Refuge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: safety or shelter from danger or difficulty.
What is the difference between refuge and refugee?
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.
What is the difference between refuge and asylum?
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.
What is the difference between refuge and sanctuary?
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.
What are common collocations with refuge?
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.
