Refuse Meaning
/ˈɹɛfjuːs/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjDiscarded, rejected.
nounCollectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.
Sentence Examples
I refuse to be treated like a slave by you.
You did wrong to refuse his help.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The dog began to ____ its food after the owner changed the brand.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She chose to ____ the offer of a settlement and decided to take the case to court instead.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed into late Middle English from Middle French refusé, past participle of refuser (“to refuse”). Displaced native Middle English wernen (“to refuse”) likely due to the similar sounding Middle English warnen
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"After the death of his [Verney's] first wife, he proposed to Florence Nightingale but she refused him. Later he married her sister, and for many years Claydon was Miss Nightingale's second home."
— 1960 March 26, N. Caplan, “The Railway Member of Parliament”, in Railway Magazine, page 208:
"If ye refuse […] ye shall be devoured with the sword."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 1:20:
"The U. N. sent a commission to arrange for election of a Korean government. Russia and her satellites declined to cooperate with this Commission. Russia refused to let the Commission hold an election in north Korea, or even to enter north Korea. In southern Korea Leftist parties refused to meet with the Commission."
— 1948 March 1, “Duel in Korea”, in World Week, volume 12, number 5, Scholastic Corporation, page 10, column 2:
"Eventually, the railway opened on Monday, December 14, 1896, with a universal fare of 1d. collected at the turnstiles, and conditions were immediately chaotic, as many passengers travelled round and round, and refused to leave the cars."
— 1955 January, Charles E. Lee, “The Glasgow Underground Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 24:
"City were outclassed thereafter and Roberto Mancini said that substitute Carlos Tevez refused to play."
— 2011 September 27, Alistair Magowan, “Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City”, in BBC Sport:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The dog began to ____ its food after the owner changed the brand.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She chose to ____ the offer of a settlement and decided to take the case to court instead.