How Do You Spell REFUSE?

Pronunciation: [ɹɪfjˈuːz] (IPA)

The word "refuse" can be a noun or a verb, with different pronunciations and spellings that can cause confusion. As a noun, it refers to waste or rubbish. Spelled /ˈrɛfjuːs/, the stress is on the second syllable. As a verb, it means to decline or reject. The spelling is the same, but the stress is on the first syllable: /rɪˈfjuːz/. However, be careful not to confuse it with the same spelling /ˈrɛfjuːz/ which is a noun meaning waste or scrap metal. So, watch out for the context in which the word is used.

REFUSE Meaning and Definition

  1. Refuse, as a noun, refers to any waste or discarded materials, often consisting of garbage, rubbish, or unwanted items. It can include various forms of solid waste generated by household, commercial, or industrial activities. Refuse typically encompasses objects that have been discarded, rejected, or deemed unnecessary, such as packaging materials, food waste, paper products, or obsolete items. This category may also encompass hazardous waste that could pose environmental or health risks if not dealt with properly.

    As a verb, refuse means to decline or reject something, to express unwillingness or denial. It involves the act of turning down an offer, request, or proposal. Additionally, refuse can represent the act of choosing not to do something or not comply with a command or instruction. It implies a deliberate decision to resist or oppose.

    Refuse can also be used in a legal context, signifying the action of disputing or denying a claim, charge, or accusation. It involves asserting one's innocence or non-involvement in a particular matter.

    Overall, whether used as a noun or a verb, refuse conveys the notion of rejection, denial, or disposal, encompassing both tangible waste materials as well as the act of declining or resisting something.

  2. • That which is refused or rejected as useless; waste matter.
    • To deny, as a request, an invitation, or a demand; to decline to do or accept; to reject.
    • Rejected; worthless; of no value.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for REFUSE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for REFUSE

Etymology of REFUSE

The origin of the word refuse can be traced back to the Latin word refusare, which means to reject or to refuse. It is derived from the combination of the prefix re- (meaning back or against) and the verb fusare (meaning to pour or to pour out). Thus, the original sense of the word referred to pouring or throwing something back or away, akin to rejecting or discarding something. Over time, this evolved into the modern meaning of refuse as to decline or to reject.

Idioms with the word REFUSE

  • refuse to do sth The idiom "refuse to do something" means to decline or reject a request or an action, showing a strong opposition or unwillingness to comply. It indicates a deliberate decision not to engage in a particular activity or follow a given instruction or demand.
  • refuse sth to sm The idiom "refuse sth to sm" means to deny or decline something to someone. It usually refers to the act of not granting or allowing someone to have or do something, often due to disagreement, disapproval, or unsuitability.
  • offer one cannot refuse The idiom "offer one cannot refuse" refers to a proposition or proposal that is so advantageous, attractive, or compelling that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to turn down or reject. It suggests that the offer is highly beneficial, tempting, and leaves the person with little choice but to accept it.
  • an offer one can't refuse The idiom "an offer one can't refuse" refers to a proposal or invitation that is extremely enticing or compelling, making it impossible to decline. It implies that the offer is so advantageous or appealing that it is highly unlikely for anyone to reject it. This phrase is often used to describe an offer that is irresistible and difficult to turn down.

Similar spelling words for REFUSE

Plural form of REFUSE is REFUSES

Conjugate verb Refuse

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have refused
you would have refused
he/she/it would have refused
we would have refused
they would have refused
I would have refuse
you would have refuse
he/she/it would have refuse
we would have refuse
they would have refuse

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been refusing
you would have been refusing
he/she/it would have been refusing
we would have been refusing
they would have been refusing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would refuse
you would refuse
he/she/it would refuse
we would refuse
they would refuse

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be refusing
you would be refusing
he/she/it would be refusing
we would be refusing
they would be refusing

FUTURE

I will refuse
you will refuse
he/she/it will refuse
we will refuse
they will refuse

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be refusing
you will be refusing
he/she/it will be refusing
we will be refusing
they will be refusing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have refused
you will have refused
he/she/it will have refused
we will have refused
they will have refused

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been refusing
you will have been refusing
he/she/it will have been refusing
we will have been refusing
they will have been refusing

IMPERATIVE

you refuse
we let´s refuse

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to refuse

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was refusing
you were refusing
he/she/it was refusing
we were refusing
they were refusing

PAST PARTICIPLE

refused

PAST PERFECT

I had refused
you had refused
he/she/it had refused
we had refused
they had refused

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been refusing
you had been refusing
he/she/it had been refusing
we had been refusing
they had been refusing

PRESENT

I refuse
you refuse
he/she/it refuses
we refuse
they refuse

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am refusing
you are refusing
he/she/it is refusing
we are refusing
they are refusing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

refusing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have refused
you have refused
he/she/it has refused
we have refused
they have refused

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been refusing
you have been refusing
he/she/it has been refusing
we have been refusing
they have been refusing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it refuse

SIMPLE PAST

I refused
you refused
he/she/it refused
we refused
they refused

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