Learn How to Pronounce refuse

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

refuse

Definition:

(nou) food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

Phonetic Transcription:

rɪˈfjuːz

Learn more about:
refuse

Related Words:

bin

How to perfect your pronunciation of: refuse

Learn Individual Sounds

Break refuse down into individual sounds such as rɪˈfjuːz. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say refuse in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say refuse in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with refuse.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of refuse pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "re-FUSE" /rɪˈfjuz/ instead of the correct "REF-use" /ˈrɛf jus/. Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable.
Confusing meanings: "Refuse" can be a verb meaning to decline something or a noun referring to waste. Learners may mix these up. Tip: Always consider the context to determine the correct usage.
Overemphasizing the "r": Some speakers pronounce "refuse" with an exaggerated "r" sound, making it sound unnatural. Tip: Keep the "r" soft and smooth, as in /ˈrɛf jus/, without overdoing it.
Vowel sound errors: The vowel in the first syllable can be mispronounced as /i/ instead of the correct /ɛ/. This leads to saying "ree-fuse" instead of "refuse." Tip: Practice the short "e" sound to improve clarity.
Dropping the final "s": In fast speech, some may unintentionally drop the "s" sound, saying "refue" instead of "refuse." Tip: Pay attention to pronouncing the final "s" clearly to maintain the word's integrity.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "refuse" in American English?

In American English, "refuse" is pronounced as /ˈrɛf.jus/. The stress is on the first syllable, which sounds like "ref," followed by a quick "yus."

What is the British pronunciation of "refuse"?

In British English, "refuse" is pronounced as /ˈrɛf.juːz/. Similar to American English, the stress is also on the first syllable, but the second syllable has a longer "oo" sound.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "refuse"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying it as /rəˈfjuːz/ instead. Remember, in both US and UK pronunciations, the stress is on the first syllable: "ref."

What is the meaning of "refuse" when pronounced with a different stress?

When pronounced as /rəˈfjuːz/, "refuse" refers to the act of rejecting something. This is a different word entirely, so pay attention to the stress to avoid confusion.