Refrain - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Refrain means to stop oneself from doing something, often by choice. It can also refer to a repeated line or phrase in a song or poem, adding emphasis or structure.
Definition:
To stop oneself from doing something, often by exercising self-control.
Synonyms:
abstain, withhold, avoid, resist
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
indulge, persist
Common Collocations:
refrain from commenting, refrain from smoking, refrain from laughing
Derivatives:
refraining, refrained
Usage Tips:
Use "refrain" to describe voluntarily holding back an action or impulse.
Common Phrases:
refrain from judgment, chorus refrain, please refrain
Etymology:
From Old French "refrener," meaning to restrain or curb, derived from Latin "refrenare."
Examples:
- 1. Please refrain from talking during the movie.
- 2. She couldn’t refrain from laughing at the joke.
- 3. The doctor advised him to refrain from sugary drinks.
- 4. The song’s catchy refrain stayed in my head all day.