Meaning & Definition of word "Refrain"

Refrain

/rɪˈfreɪn/

1. A repeated part of a poem or song, typically at the end of a stanza.
- Example: The refrain of the song was catchy and stuck in my head all day.
2. A phrase or verse that is repeated in music or poetry.
- Example: The poet used a refrain to emphasize the main theme of his work.
3. A recurring element in a narrative.
- Example: The refrain of longing can be felt throughout the novel.

1. To abstain from an impulse to say or do something.
- Example: She tried to refrain from commenting during the meeting.
2. To hold oneself back from doing something.
- Example: He refrained from eating dessert to stick to his diet.
3. To resist the temptation to partake in something.
- Example: Despite the delicious aroma, he managed to refrain from snacking before dinner.

Middle English refrainen, from Old French refrener, from Latin refrænāre, from re- + frēnāre to restrain.

refrain from:

to avoid doing something

refrain and enjoy:

to hold back from action or speech and derive pleasure from contemplation

as the refrain goes:

used to introduce a repeated phrase or idea

abstain:

to choose not to do something

hold back:

to restrain from acting or speaking

desist:

to stop doing something that one has been doing

Meaning: hold your horses

Example Sentence: If you want to go out tonight, just hold your horses and finish your homework first.

Meaning: bite your tongue

Example Sentence: I wanted to tell him off, but I decided to bite my tongue instead.