refuse
gb/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/ us/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/
A2
English
~ 1000
visszautasít, megtagad, nem hajlandó, hulladék, szemét
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to refuse [something] / to refuse to [verb]
She refused to answer the reporter’s questions.
Nem volt hajlandó válaszolni a riporter kérdéseire.
They refused our invitation to dinner.
Visszautasították a vacsorameghívásunkat.
The company refused his request for a refund.
He refused to believe the rumors.
Security refused entry to anyone without ID.
Learner examples
I refused the food because I was not hungry.
Visszautasítottam az ételt, mert nem voltam éhes.
She refused to go to the party.
Nem volt hajlandó elmenni a partira.
He refused my help.
They refused to open the door.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'refuse' with 'reject'. 'Refuse' is often used for actions or offers, while 'reject' is often for ideas, proposals, or objects.
Meaning
Say no to something
Collocations
refuse an offer
|refuse help
|refuse entry
|refuse permission
|refuse to comment
Synonyms
decline (Slightly more formal and often used in polite refusals.)
|
reject (Stronger and more definite than 'refuse', sometimes more emotional.)
Antonyms
accept (To agree to take or do something offered.)
|
agree (To say yes to a request or proposal.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say you will not take or do something.
To indicate unwillingness to accept, agree to, or do something that has been offered, requested, or demanded.
NOUN
B1
2
The bins were overflowing with household refuse.
A kukák csordultig voltak háztartási hulladékkal.
Refuse from the factory was polluting the river.
A gyárból származó hulladék szennyezte a folyót.
The city has strict rules about disposing of refuse.
Volunteers cleaned up refuse left on the beach.
Learner examples
The street was full of refuse after the festival.
A fesztivál után tele volt szeméttel az utca.
We put the refuse in the bin.
A hulladékot a kukába tettük.
The truck takes away the refuse every week.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun with the verb 'refuse'. The pronunciation differs: noun stress is on the first syllable ('REF-use'), verb on the second ('re-FUSE').
Meaning
Waste material or rubbish
Collocations
household refuse
|industrial refuse
|refuse collection
|refuse disposal
Synonyms
rubbish (Common in British English; same basic meaning.)
|
garbage (Common in American English; usually household waste.)
Antonyms
resources (Items considered valuable or useful rather than waste.)
Themes
environment
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Things you throw away because you do not want them.
Unwanted material that is discarded as no longer useful; trash or rubbish.
Grammar
Dictionary form
refuse
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/
US/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/
Syllables & stress
re - fuse (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: refuse
- Plural: refuse
Verb
- Base: refuse
- 3rd Person Singular: refuses
- Present Participle: refusing
- Past: refused
Word family
Forms
refuses
verb
refusing
verb
refused
verb
Core family
refusal
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
accept
verb A2
acceptance
noun B1
Expressions
refuse point-blank
1/ɹˈɛfjˌuz pˈɔɪnt blˈæŋk/
fixed phrase
Reject directly and firmly
To say no in a very direct and firm way.
Examples
- He refused point-blank when asked to apologize.
- They refused point-blank to discuss the matter.
refuse to budge
1/ɹɪfjˈuz tə bˈʌd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Not change position or opinion
To not move or change your mind about something.
Examples
- Despite the criticism, she refused to budge on her decision.
- The old door refused to budge no matter how hard we pushed.