Definition and meaning of English word "refuse"
refuse
/rɪˈfjuːz/
Meaning
VerbTo decline (a request or demand).
How to use
In formal or professional settings, refuse is often used to decline a request or demand politely, whereas in informal contexts, it may be used more bluntly. For example, 'I refuse to accept this offer' is a more formal way of saying 'I'm not interested in this offer.' A common learner mistake is to use refuse instead of decline in situations where a more polite response is required. For instance, 'I refuse to go to the party' sounds more negative than 'I decline your invitation to the party.'
🇬🇧 English
refuse
Example
I refuse to wear this ugly dress.
She refuses to talk to him.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- refuse to accept— to decline a request or offer
- refuse to do something— to decline to perform an action
- refuse to go— to decline to attend or participate
- refuse to give up— to decline to surrender or abandon
- refuse to let go— to decline to release or relinquish
More Extended Verbs words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #229 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "refuse" mean?▼
The English word "refuse" means "refuse" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "refuse"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "refuse" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "refuse"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I refuse to wear this ugly dress." (which translates as "refuse").
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