verb

refuse

REHF-yoos

verb

To say no to a request, offer, or order.

"She refused to sign the contract until the terms were changed."

"He refused their help, insisting he could manage alone."

noun

Waste material; rubbish or garbage.

"The city collects refuse twice a week."

How to Use Refuse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAs a verb, turning something down; as a noun (stressed differently, REF-use), it means trash or rubbish.

Common mistake

The verb is pronounced re-FUSE; the noun meaning "rubbish" is pronounced REF-use — same spelling, different stress and meaning.

Easily confused with

refute →

Common pairings

refuse to comply refuse collection household refuse

Word Forms

more refuse comparative, refused past tense, refused past tense, refuse plural, refused plural, refuse plural, refused plural, refuses singular, refuse singular, refused singular, refusest singular, refusedst singular, refuseth singular, refuses singular, refuse singular, refused singular, most refuse superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ to sign the contract until the terms were changed.

Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Middle French refuser, "to refuse."

Rhymes for refuse

use muse ruse fuse CuSe abuse mouse cause house louse pause amuse

See all rhymes for refuse →