# refrain

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #12,486

## Definitions
1. To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).
2. To show restraint; to hold oneself back.
3. To repress (a desire, emotion etc.); to check or curb.
4. To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain; to eschew
5. To abstain from (food or drink).

## Etymology
From Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-Norman refrener, Old French refrener (from Latin refrenare), and influenced by Old French refraindre (from Latin refringere).

## Easily confused with
- **remain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refrain-vs-remain)
- **retain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refrain-vs-retain)
- **regain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refrain-vs-regain)
- **restrain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refrain-vs-restrain)
- **redrawn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/redrawn-vs-refrain)

## Common misspellings (10)
`erfrain`, `refarin`, `reffrain`, `refrainn`, `refrani`, `refrian`, `refrrain`, `rerfain`, `rferain`, `rrefrain`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/refrain