# refrain

/ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/ (US) · /ɹɪfɹˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/refrain
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to stop yourself from doing something

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to stop yourself from doing something that you want to do.

For teachers: to deliberately abstain from an impulse or action. Intransitive; almost always followed by the preposition 'from'.

- Please refrain from smoking while you are inside the building.
- The diplomat had to refrain from commenting on the sensitive negotiations until a formal agreement was reached by both parties.

Usage: Usually followed by 'from' + noun or gerund.

Teaching tip: This is a polite, formal way to tell people not to do something, often seen on signs or in official announcements.

## Examples

- The crowd sang the catchy refrain along with the band.
- The politician's speech was filled with the familiar refrain of lower taxes and better services.
- While the verses of the ballad explore different historical events, the haunting refrain serves as a constant reminder of the underlying theme of loss and reconciliation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.