The verb is pronounced /rɪfju:z/. The noun is pronounced /refju:s/ and is hyphenated ref‧use.
( refusing, refused)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
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...
He expects me to stay on here and I can hardly refuse.
VERB : V to-inf , V
2.
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...
The town council had refused permission for the march.
VERB : V n n , V n
3.
If you refuse something that is offered to you, you do not accept it.
The patient has the right to refuse treatment.
= turn down
VERB : V n
4.
Refuse consists of the rubbish and all the things that are not wanted in a house, shop, or factory, and that are regularly thrown away; used mainly in official language.
The District Council made a weekly collection of refuse.
= waste, rubbish
N-UNCOUNT