refrain

Recurring song section

Refrain has two distinct meanings.

As a verb, to refrain is to hold back from doing something: I refrained from commenting.

As a noun, a refrain is a repeated line or phrase in a song or poem—the part that comes back, often as a chorus.

By extension, any statement heard repeatedly becomes a refrain: His constant refrain was that nobody appreciated him.

poetry

verse

Metered poetic passage

  • stanzaPoem's line grouping
  • burdenOppressive weight or duty
  • chorusSingers performing together

envoi · strophe · antistrophe · villanelle · rondeau · ballade · sestina

chorus

hook

Curved catching device

  • verseMetered poetic passage
  • bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
  • melodyPleasing sequence of notes

singalong · anthem · repetition · callback · leitmotif · coda · reprise · turnaround · tag · outro

abstain

abstinence

Voluntary forgoing of indulgences

willpower · sobriety · moderation · self-control · discipline · fasting · teetotalism · asceticism · celibacy · continence

Categories
Opposites
action vs. restraint

refrainact

Deed or performance

do · proceed · engage · participate · go ahead

self-control vs. indulgence

refrainindulge

Satisfy a craving

yield · succumb · give in · surrender · cave

continuation vs. cessation

refrainpersist

Continue firmly onward

continue · persevere · carry on · keep on · press on

Phrases
Family

refractory, refraining, refract, refrains, refrained

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G