DictionaryAI

refuse

Sayri-FYOOZUS/ɹɪˈfjuz//ɹɪˈfjuːz/
As an adjectiveREF-yoos

Formsrefuses, refusing, refused

8 meanings of refuse

Practice

  1. 1
    declineverbtransitive
    To say no to something, or to say you will not do it.

    Like shaking your head no when someone offers you something.

    He refused the extra dessert because he was already full.

    Workers can refuse extra shifts if they are too tired.

    UsageSay refuse to do something: she refused to go. To say something is not true, use deny.

  2. 2
    not giveverb
    To not give someone something they want or need.

    The teacher refused him permission to leave class early.

    They can refuse you service if you do not wear shoes.

    UsageSay refuse someone something, or refuse something to someone.

    Similardeny, withhold

    Oppositegrant, allow

  3. 3
    REF-yoos/ˈɹɛfjuːs/
    trashnoununcountable
    Things that people have thrown away, like trash and garbage.

    The city picks up refuse every Tuesday morning.

    Please put all refuse in the cans behind the school.

    UsageSay it REF-yoos, not like the verb. Often in refuse collection.

    Similarrubbish, garbage, trash, waste, litter

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of refuse apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 3–4

It came from Middle French refusé ('refused') in late Middle English times.

Meanings 1–2, 5–6

From Old French refuser, from a Latin verb that may be a blend of two verbs meaning to reject and to refuse.

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts