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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Refrain: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：hold back (refrain)

refrain 🔊

/rɪˈfreɪn/

To consciously stop yourself from doing something you want to do, especially because it's not a good idea.

Person refraining from eating donuts at desk, showing self-control

hold back 🔊

➕

/hoʊld bæk/

To intentionally stop yourself from doing something, especially when you are tempted to do it.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'refrenare' (re- 'back' + frenum 'bridle'), meaning to hold back with a bridle.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 're-frain' like 'rein in' a horse: you pull the reins back to stop. 'Frain' sounds like 'train' — you stop a train from moving.

📖 Example

Even though the joke was very funny, she managed to refrain from laughing during the serious meeting. 🔊 Even though the joke was very funny, she managed to refrain from laughing during the serious meeting.

🔗 Collocations

refrain from smoking – to avoid or stop smoking

refrain from commenting – to choose not to make a comment

refrain from tears – to hold back one's tears

🔄 Synonyms

abstain (v.) – to voluntarily avoid doing something, especially for moral or health reasons

desist (v.) – to stop doing something, often after a command or request

forbear (v.) – to be patient and refrain from doing something you want to do

🚫 Antonyms

indulge (v.) – to allow yourself to have or do something pleasurable

succumb (v.) – to give in to a temptation or pressure

yield (v.) – to surrender or give way to something

🌱 Derivatives

refraining (n.) – the act of holding back

refrainment (n.) – the action of refraining (rare)

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'refrenare', literally 'to put a bridle on again'. Entered English via Old French 'refrener', evolving from controlling a horse to any restraint.

Meaning 2：avoid doing (refrain)

refrain 🔊

/rɪˈfreɪn/

Often used in advice to mean you should avoid a certain action to prevent bad results, like getting sick.

Doctor advising patient to refrain from certain actions for health

avoid doing 🔊

➕

/əˈvɔɪd ˈduːɪŋ/

To avoid a particular action, as recommended for one's own well-being or to prevent negative outcomes.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The doctor advised him to refrain from strenuous exercise until his ankle was fully healed. 🔊 The doctor advised him to refrain from strenuous exercise until his ankle was fully healed.

🔗 Collocations

refrain from alcohol – to avoid drinking alcohol

refrain from overeating – to avoid eating too much

refrain from any contact – to avoid all contact

🔄 Synonyms

abstain (v.) – to choose not to do or have something, especially for health or moral reasons

avoid (v.) – to keep away from something or someone

shun (v.) – to deliberately avoid something or someone

🚫 Antonyms

engage (v.) – to participate or become involved in an activity

pursue (v.) – to follow or chase something actively

embrace (v.) – to accept or adopt something enthusiastically

🌱 Derivatives

refraining (n.) – the act of holding back

refrainment (n.) – the action of refraining (rare)