refrain

A refrain has two common sides. In songs and poems, it is the part that comes back again and again, like a chorus or a repeated line that stays in your head. But it can also mean holding yourself back. If you refrain from doing something, you choose not to do it.

Think of it this way: sometimes the word is about a line returning, and sometimes it is about a person stopping themselves. You might hear a refrain in a song, or you might refrain from sending an angry message. In both cases, the idea of coming back or holding back is close to the heart of the word.

The word "refrain" has a fascinating double life. On one hand, it refers to a regularly repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song—that memorable chorus that sticks in your head. Think of the classic nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"; the opening lines serve as the refrain that anchors the piece. It's the part designed to be remembered and enjoyed each time it appears.

But "refrain" also functions as a verb, meaning to deliberately stop yourself from doing something. You might refrain from interrupting a conversation, refrain from making a joke at the wrong moment, or refrain from spending money you do not have. In everyday English, this use often appears with "from," as in "refrain from speaking" or "refrain from commenting."

These two meanings can feel very different at first, but both are common and worth knowing. Whether you are enjoying a catchy chorus or practicing self-control, "refrain" points either to something that returns or to an action you hold back. It is a useful word for both music and everyday behavior.