Advertisement
Advertisement
refrain
1[ ri-freyn ]
verb (used without object)
- to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed by from ):
I refrained from telling him what I thought.
Synonyms: ,
verb (used with object)
- Archaic. to curb.
refrain
2[ ri-freyn ]
noun
- a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza; chorus.
- Music.
- a musical setting for the refrain of a poem.
- any melody.
- the principal, recurrent section of a rondo.
- an often heard statement, opinion, etc.:
Today’s technology haters have a common refrain—robots are bad for society.
- a frequently occurring situation or series of events:
The game followed a familiar refrain: a strong first quarter start that eventually fizzles out.
refrain
1/ ɪˈڰɪ /
verb
- intrusually foll byfrom to abstain (from action); forbear
refrain
2/ ɪˈڰɪ /
noun
- a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song
- a much repeated saying or idea
Derived Forms
- ˈڰԱ, noun
- ˈڰԳԳ, noun
Other Word Forms
- ·ڰ· noun
- ·ڰ·Գ noun
- ܲ··ڰԱ adjective
- ܲ··ڰ·Բ adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of refrain1
Origin of refrain2
Example Sentences
The FDA also refrained from naming all firms and companies that handled and processed the tainted lettuce.
It's a familiar refrain from those who feel elections can bring attention and promises, without always yielding results.
But his classic refrains about the power of “the millionaires and the billionaires” and the wealth of the 1% have found new resonance with Democrats angered by the second Trump administration.
In their oral arguments, the attorneys refrained from repeating some caustic language from their written briefs.
Minnesota lawmakers proposed a similar bill in February, and unions in Illinois have begun a campaign to unionize drivers in the state, with Uber agreeing to refrain from interfering with the effort.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse