Dictionary.com

refuse

1
[ ri-fyooz ]
/ rɪˈfyuz /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: refuse / refused / refusing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), reĀ·fused, reĀ·fusĀ·ing.
verb (used without object), reĀ·fused, reĀ·fusĀ·ing.
to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of refuse

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English refusen, from Middle French refuser, Old French ultimately from Latin refÅ«sus, past participle of refundere ā€œto pour backā€; see refund1

synonym study for refuse

1. Refuse, decline, reject, spurn all imply nonacceptance of something. To decline is milder and more courteous than to refuse, which is direct and often emphatic in expressing determination not to accept what is offered or proposed: to refuse a bribe; to decline an invitation. To reject is even more positive and definite than refuse : to reject a suitor. To spurn is to reject with scorn: to spurn a bribe.

OTHER WORDS FROM refuse

Other definitions for refuse (2 of 2)

refuse2
[ ref-yoos ]
/ ˈrɛf yus /

noun
something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage.
adjective
rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter.

Origin of refuse

2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Middle French, Old French refus ā€œdross, waste,ā€ derivative of refuser to refuse1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use refuse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for refuse (1 of 2)

refuse1
/ (rɪˈfjuːz) /

verb
(tr) to decline to accept (something offered)to refuse a present; to refuse promotion
to decline to give or grant (something) to (a person, organization, etc)
(when tr, takes an infinitive) to express determination not (to do something); declinehe refuses to talk about it
(of a horse) to be unwilling to take (a jump), as by swerving or stopping
(tr) (of a woman) to declare one's unwillingness to accept (a suitor) as a husband

Derived forms of refuse

refusable, adjectiverefuser, noun

Word Origin for refuse

C14: from Old French refuser, from Latin refundere to pour back; see refund

British Dictionary definitions for refuse (2 of 2)

refuse2
/ (ˈrɛfjuːs) /

noun
  1. anything thrown away; waste; rubbish
  2. (as modifier)a refuse collection

Word Origin for refuse

C15: from Old French refuser to refuse 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK