Refuse definition and meaning

Refuse definition: If you refuse to do something, you deliberately do not do it, or you say firmly that you… | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples

Word forms:


refuses


,


refusing


,


refused



pronunciation note:

The verb is pronounced

(


rɪfy

u

z



)

. The noun is pronounced

(


r

ɛ

fyus



)

and is hyphenated ref|use.


1.


transitive verb


/


intransitive verb

If you

refuse


to

do something, you deliberately do not do it, or you say firmly that you will not
do it.


He refused to comment after the trial.


I could hardly refuse, could I?


2.


transitive verb

If someone

refuses

you something, they do not give it to you or do not allow you to have it.


The United States has refused him a visa.


3.


transitive verb

If you

refuse

something that is offered to you, you do not accept it.


The patient has the right to refuse treatment.


4.


uncountable noun


Refuse

consists of the trash and all the things that are not wanted in a house,

store

, or factory, and that are regularly thrown away; used mainly in official language.


The town made a weekly collection of refuse.


More Synonyms of

refuse


COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary

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