How to pronounce refrain
Say it like rih-FRAYN. Refrain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FRAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce refrain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- FRAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Refrain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FRAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of refrain
American and British speakers say refrain in essentially the same way: /rɪˈfreɪn/ in the US and /rɪˈfreɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-FRAYN.
What does refrain mean?
- the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
- resist doing something“He refrained from hitting him back”“she could not forbear weeping”
- choose not to consume“I abstain from alcohol”
Where does refrain come from?
Inherited from Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-Norman refrener, Old French refrener, from Latin refrēnāre, from re- + frēnāre, from frēnum.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with refrain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of refrain.
Questions about saying refrain
How do you pronounce refrain?
Say rih-FRAYN. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈfreɪn/. In British English it is /rɪˈfreɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in refrain?
Refrain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FRAYN). Broken into parts: rih · FRAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say refrain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈfreɪn/ and the British form is /rɪˈfreɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.