Refuse

/rɪˈfjuz/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Material that is discarded or thrown away; waste.

The factory produces a lot of refuse that needs to be properly disposed of.

Garbage or rubbish.

They collected all the refuse from the picnic site.

verb

To indicate or show that one is not willing to do something.

She refused to answer the question.

To reject or decline something offered.

He refused the invitation to the party.

To dismiss as unacceptable or unsatisfactory.

The committee refused the proposal after much discussion.

From Middle English 'refusen', from Old French 'refuser', from Latin 'refusare'.

refuse to budge

to refuse to change one's opinions or position.

refuse service

to deny service or assistance to someone.

take no refuse

to accept no excuses.

refusal

the act of saying that one will not accept something.

refuser

a person who refuses.

refutable

capable of being refuted.

no way!

He asked for a raise, and I was just like, 'Refuse!'

to deny something outright.

She found the request absurd and just refused.