refrain
gb/ɹɪfɹˈeɪn/ us/ɹɪfɹˈeɪn/
B2
English
~ 6100
tartózkodik, visszatartja magát, refrén, visszatérő megjegyzés, visszatérő panasz
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
to refrain from [doing something]
Please refrain from using your phone during the performance.
Kérjük, az előadás alatt tartózkodjanak a telefonhasználattól.
He refrained from making any comment until he knew all the facts.
Tartózkodott minden megjegyzéstől, amíg meg nem ismerte az összes tényt.
The judge asked spectators to refrain from reacting during the verdict.
Out of respect, she refrained from asking personal questions.
Drivers are urged to refrain from unnecessary travel during the storm.
Learner examples
Please refrain from talking during the test.
Kérjük, a teszt alatt tartózkodjanak a beszélgetéstől.
He refrained from eating cake because he was on a diet.
Visszatartotta magát attól, hogy tortát egyen, mert diétázott.
They refrained from using loud music after midnight.
I tried to refrain from saying something angry.
We should refrain from making quick decisions.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"refrain to do something"* instead of the correct pattern *"refrain from doing something"*. Also, they may confuse *refrain* with *restrain*: *restrain* usually means physically or strongly holding someone or something back, while *refrain* is about your own choice not to do something.
Meaning
deliberately stop yourself doing
Collocations
refrain from smoking
|refrain from commenting
|refrain from using
|kindly refrain from
|politely refrain from
Synonyms
abstain (More formal and often used about not doing something for moral, religious, or health reasons, especially not drinking alcohol.)
Antonyms
indulge (Means to allow yourself to do or have something you want, often something that is not good for you.)
Themes
behavior
|etiquette
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To choose not to do or say something, often because it is not allowed or not a good idea.
To deliberately choose not to do, say, or have something, especially something you want to do.
NOUN
B2
2
refrén
B1
Usage pattern:
the refrain of [a song/poem]
After each verse, the children loudly sang the cheerful refrain.
Minden versszak után a gyerekek hangosan énekelték a vidám refrént.
The song’s refrain is so simple that everyone can remember it.
A dal refrénje olyan egyszerű, hogy mindenki meg tudja jegyezni.
The refrain repeats the main message of the poem.
By the third time, the audience had learned the refrain and joined in.
The composer changed the verses but kept the same refrain.
Learner examples
The refrain of the song is easy to sing.
A dal refrénjét könnyű elénekelni.
We all clapped and sang the refrain together.
Mindannyian tapsoltunk, és együtt énekeltük a refrént.
In this song, the refrain comes after every verse.
The refrain has only one short line.
I like the refrain more than the verses.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only *chorus* for songs and do not realize that *refrain* is a similar but slightly more technical or literary word. In many pop music contexts, using *chorus* sounds more natural.
Meaning
repeated line in a song/poem
Collocations
sing the refrain
|a simple refrain
|a catchy refrain
|join in the refrain
|the song's refrain
Synonyms
chorus (In everyday music talk, *chorus* is more common; it can be longer and is often the main repeated part of a pop song, while *refrain* is a more technical or literary term.)
Antonyms
verse (The verse is the part of a song or poem that changes each time, contrasting with the fixed, repeated refrain.)
Themes
music
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
A line or short part in a song or poem that comes again and again, usually after each verse.
A line or short section of music or words in a song or poem that is repeated at regular points, especially at the end of each verse.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a [familiar/common/usual] refrain
Complaints about rising rents have become a familiar refrain in the city.
Állandóan visszatérő panasz a városban, hogy emelkednek a lakbérek.
Parents repeating that they are "too busy" is a common refrain these days.
Manapság gyakran hallani a szülőktől azt a visszatérő megjegyzést, hogy „túl elfoglaltak”.
The politician ended his speech with the usual refrain about cutting taxes.
In interviews, the refrain from workers is that wages have not kept up with prices.
Her hopeful refrain was that things would get better next year.
Learner examples
In the office, the familiar refrain is that everyone is tired.
Az irodában visszatérő megjegyzés, hogy mindenki fáradt.
The usual refrain from students is that there is too much homework.
A diákok visszatérő panasza az, hogy túl sok a házi feladat.
On the news, the common refrain is that prices are rising.
His constant refrain is that he has no time.
We often hear the same refrain about traffic problems.
Common mistake:
Learners may think *refrain* here always means something musical. In news and everyday writing, it often means a repeated comment or complaint, even when there is no music.
Meaning
often-repeated comment or complaint
Collocations
a familiar refrain
|the usual refrain
|a common refrain
|political refrain
|the refrain that
Synonyms
mantra (Often used figuratively for a phrase repeated many times; can suggest something repeated uncritically or as a strong belief.)
Antonyms
one-off remark (A single comment that is not repeated, the opposite of a refrain repeatedly heard over time.)
Themes
communication
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short comment or complaint that people say again and again in the same kind of situation.
A comment, complaint, or short statement that is repeated many times by one person or by many people in similar situations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
refrain
IPA
GB/ɹɪfɹˈeɪn/
US/ɹɪfɹˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
re - frain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (frain)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: refrain
- Plural: refrains
Verb
- Base: refrain
- 3rd Person Singular: refrains
- Present Participle: refraining
- Past: refrained
Word family
Expressions
a familiar refrain
1/ə fəmˈɪljɚ ɹɪfɹˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
often-heard repeated comment
A comment or complaint that you hear many times and already know well.
Examples
- It’s a familiar refrain in interviews that young people cannot afford housing.
- Teachers say, with a familiar refrain, that they need more support in the classroom.
refrain from
1/ɹɪfɹˈeɪn fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
formal
politely ask not to do something
To not do something, usually because someone asks you in a polite or official way.
Examples
- Passengers are asked to refrain from smoking anywhere on the train.
- Please refrain from using flash photography during the performance.
refrain from doing something
1/ɹɪfɹˈeɪn fɹˈʌm dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
choose not to carry out an action
To decide not to do a specific action.
Examples
- We ask guests to refrain from doing anything that might disturb other residents.
- He refrained from doing what he really wanted to do, because it would have caused trouble.