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 of refrain

Verb

• keep (from)
• avoid
• withhold (from)
• abstain (from)

Noun

• 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

However, the German government has so far refrained from comment on the upcoming trial, pointing out that no verdict has yet been reached and the case is in the hands of the independent judiciary. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Dressed in jeans, a black T-shirt and black leather jacket, Buckingham strummed a burgundy electric guitar and joined Sombr on the song’s iconic chorus refrain. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

Of late, however, Ah Gau had given up his old refrain for a new one. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Yet the structural refrain that underpins this wonder of a book always returns to love. — Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for refrain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

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