refrain

1 of 2

verb

re·​frain ri-ˈfrān 

refrained; refraining; refrains

transitive verb

archaic : curb, restrain

intransitive verb

: to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse

refrained from having dessert

refrainment

ri-ˈfrān-mənt 

noun

refrain

2 of 2

noun

1

: a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus

also : the musical setting of a refrain

2

: a comment or statement that is often repeated

Synonyms

Verb

• abjure
• abstain (from)
• forbear
• forgo
• forego
• keep (from)
• withhold (from)

Noun

• burden
• chorus

Examples of refrain in a Sentence

Verb

I was going to make a joke but I refrained.

Noun

A common refrain among teachers these days is that the schools need more funding.

I didn't know the verses of the song, so I only sang on the refrain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That said, the creators don’t refrain from giving in to the juvenile humor of a loud flatulence, finding space for a multitude of emotions within one unassumingly magical story. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 22 June 2024

The gag order specifically instructed Trump, under the threat of fines or jail time, to refrain from speaking about witnesses, all prosecutors except Bragg, all court staff except Juan Merchan, and the family of prosecutors and court staff. —Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 June 2024

Noun

Representation matters is the dead-eyed refrain of the flacks who nag Julio to abandon his crazy flights of fancy and just make Gaytino already. —Judy Berman, TIME, 7 June 2024

One of Kendi’s refrains is that being antiracist demands self-criticism. —Rachel Poser January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-French refreiner, refreindre, from Latin refrenare, from re- + frenum bridle — more at frenum

Noun

Middle English refreyn, from Middle French refrain, alteration of Old French refrait melody, response, from past participle of refraindre to break up, moderate, from Vulgar Latin *refrangere, alteration of Latin refringere — more at refract

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

refrain

1 of 2 verb

re·​frain ri-ˈfrān 

: to hold oneself back

refrain from laughing

refrain

2 of 2 noun

: a regularly repeated phrase or verse of a poem or song : chorus