Refrain: meaning, definitions and examples

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refrain

[ rɪˈfreɪn ]

^{Context #1}

in music

A repeated line or phrase in a song or poem, typically at the end of each verse.

Synonyms

chorus, line, verse

Examples of usage

The chorus of the song serves as the refrain.
He couldn't get the refrain out of his head.

^{Context #2}

from doing something

Stop oneself from doing something.

Synonyms

abstain, forbear, hold back

Examples of usage

She had to refrain from laughing during the serious meeting.
He refrained from commenting on the issue.

Translations

Translations of the word "refrain" in other languages:

🇵🇹 refrão

🇮🇳 रिफ़्रेन

🇩🇪 Refrain

🇮🇩 refrain

🇺🇦 приспів

🇵🇱 refren

🇯🇵 リフレイン

🇫🇷 refrain

🇪🇸 estribillo

🇹🇷 nakarat

🇰🇷 후렴

🇸🇦 لازمة

🇨🇿 refrén

🇸🇰 refrén

🇨🇳 叠句

🇸🇮 refren

🇮🇸 viðlag

🇰🇿 қайырма

🇬🇪 რეფრენი

🇦🇿 nəqarət

🇲🇽 estribillo

Word origin

The word 'refrain' originated from the Old French word 'refraindre', which means 'to hold back'. It first appeared in English in the late 14th century. Initially used in music to denote a repeated phrase, it later expanded to include the idea of holding back or abstaining from something.