Refrain Meaning
/ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo hold back, to restrain (someone or something).
verbTo show restraint; to hold oneself back.
Sentence Examples
Please refrain from smoking, while the non-smoking signs are on.
Please refrain from speaking without permission.
We agreed to refrain from smoking while we are at work.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor advised him to ____ from eating sweets to control his rising blood sugar levels.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She had to ____ from commenting on the case while the investigation was still ongoing.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-Norman refrener, Old French refrener, from Latin refrēnāre, from re- + frēnāre, from frēnum.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Refrain thy foot from their path."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 1:15:
"The presence even for a moment among a party of debauchees of a woman endued with every quality of modesty and not less severe than beautiful refrained the humorous sallies even of the most licentious but her departure was the signal for an outbreak of ribaldry."
— 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 1: Telemachus]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC, part I [Telemachia], page 14:
"And nowe I saye unto you: refrayne youreselves from these men, and let them alone [...]."
— 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts:
"As I went down the river, all dissatisfaction at my lot passed away, and by the time Dartmouth came in view I could no longer refrain myself, but threw my cap into the air, and barely caught it from falling overboard as I shouted, "Hurrah for merry England![…]""
— 1899, Sabine Baring-Gould, A Book of the West, Volume 1 Chapter 18:
"Refrain from these men, and let them alone."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 5:38:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor advised him to ____ from eating sweets to control his rising blood sugar levels.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She had to ____ from commenting on the case while the investigation was still ongoing.