refuge
/ˈrefjuːdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrefjuːdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈre-(ˌ)fyüj also -(ˌ)fyüzh/ (ame, mw)
refuge — noun
- refugesingular
- refugesplural
1. a place where a person or animal can go to be safe from danger, bad weather, or
a place where a person or animal can go to be safe from danger, bad weather, or harm.
During the storm, the hikers took refuge in a cave until the rain stopped.
take refuge in [place] for safety
The mountain refuge gave shelter to climbers caught in the sudden blizzard.
Ryo's grandparents built their home as a refuge for injured birds and wild animals.
After the earthquake, the school gym was used as a temporary refuge for families who had lost their homes.
The old lighthouse was a refuge for sailors whose boats had been wrecked on the rocks.
- shelter
more general; any protection from weather or danger, not always a specific location
- sanctuary
stronger connotation of safety that cannot be violated; often used for wildlife reserves or religious spaces
- haven
peaceful, safe harbour; often figurative ('a haven of peace')
- asylum
formal/legal; protection granted by a country to people fleeing persecution
- danger zone
area where someone is exposed to risk
文法句型
take refuge in/at
seek refuge from
a refuge for
用法筆記
Countable when referring to a specific building or location. Often uncountable in the fixed phrase 'take refuge' (e.g. 'They took refuge in a temple').
常見錯誤
2. a person, activity, or thing that provides comfort or relief when life feels dif
a person, activity, or thing that provides comfort or relief when life feels difficult or stressful.
For Ingrid, her vegetable garden was a quiet refuge from the noise of the city.
a refuge from [something stressful]
After a long week at work, Lakan found refuge in reading old novels by the fireplace.
find refuge in [activity]
The public library became a refuge for elderly residents who wanted company and warmth.
Music was a refuge for Felix during the months he spent recovering in the hospital.
Aunt Rosa's kitchen was always a welcoming refuge where the children could talk about their troubles.
- cause of stress
the source of difficulty that one is escaping
文法句型
a refuge from [stress/sadness/worry]
find refuge in [activity/person]
用法筆記
Typically used with a modifier (quiet refuge, welcome refuge, spiritual refuge) to specify the kind of comfort. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is always figurative and does not involve a physical threat.
常見錯誤
refuge — verb
- refugepresent simple I / you / we / they
- refuges3rd person singular
- refuging-ing form
- refugedpast simple
1. to offer a safe place to someone who needs protection from danger or harm.
to offer a safe place to someone who needs protection from danger or harm.
The small temple refuged three families who lost their homes in the landslide.
transitive: refuge + [someone] — formal register
During the civil war, the convent refuged children who had lost their parents in the fighting.
During the summer heatwave, the community centre refuged elderly residents whose homes had no air conditioning.
During the war, Aziza's grandfather refuged wounded soldiers in his barn.
文法句型
refuge + direct object
用法筆記
Formal and less common than noun uses. Most English speakers would instead say 'gave refuge to', 'provided shelter for', or 'took in'.
常見錯誤
2. to move to a safe place to escape from danger or a difficult situation.
to move to a safe place to escape from danger or a difficult situation.
When the thunderstorm hit, the climbers refuged in a narrow cave.
intransitive: refuge in [location]
When violence broke out in the city, Astrid refuged with her aunt in the countryside.
When the heavy rain started, the stray dogs refuged under the market stalls.
Whenever his parents had a loud argument, young Darius refuged in the garden shed with his books.
- flee
emphasises running away rather than reaching safety
文法句型
refuge in [place]
refuge at [place]
refuge with [person]
用法筆記
Always followed by a location (in, at, with). The more common expression is 'took refuge' rather than the single verb 'refuged'.