refuge

refuge — noun

1. a place where a person or animal can go to be safe from danger, bad weather, or

1.nounB2
Definition

a place where a person or animal can go to be safe from danger, bad weather, or harm.

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • mountain refuge
  • wildlife refuge
  • safe refuge
  • temporary refuge
  • seek refuge
  • offer refuge
  • provide refuge
  • take refuge
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

take refuge in/at

seek refuge from

a refuge for

Usage Note

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').

Common Mistakes

I need a refuge from my homework.
I need a break from my homework.
'refuge' implies real danger or serious difficulty, not everyday tasks.

2. a person, activity, or thing that provides comfort or relief when life feels dif

2.nounB2
Definition

a person, activity, or thing that provides comfort or relief when life feels difficult or stressful.

Example

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]

Common collocations
  • quiet refuge
  • welcome refuge
  • spiritual refuge
  • emotional refuge
  • find refuge in
  • a refuge from stress
Synonyms
  • comfort

    wider meaning; emotional ease rather than a safe place

  • escape

    emphasises the act of getting away rather than the safe destination

  • solace

    more literary; comfort in times of grief or disappointment

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a refuge from [stress/sadness/worry]

find refuge in [activity/person]

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

I go to the park as a refuge from boredom.
I go to the park as a refuge from the stress of work.
'refuge' implies escaping something genuinely unpleasant or painful, not just mild boredom.

refuge — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Shelter is the most general word — any protection from weather or danger, from a bus stop to a cave. Refuge emphasises escaping from immediate danger or trouble, often to a specific place. Haven suggests a peaceful, safe harbour, frequently used for ports or figurative calm places ('a haven of peace'). Sanctuary implies a place where someone cannot be harmed, often used for wildlife reserves or religious spaces that offer inviolable protection. Asylum is formal and legal, referring to protection granted by a country to people facing persecution. For example, hikers find refuge in a hut during a storm, birds find sanctuary in a nature reserve, and a refugee applies for asylum in another country.

shelter ↗haven ↗sanctuary ↗asylum ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • take refuge
  • seek refuge
  • find refuge
  • offer refuge
  • provide refuge
  • give refuge
  • a place of refuge

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Refuge comes from Latin refugium, made up of re- (back) and fugere (to flee). The literal idea is 'a place to flee back to' for safety. It entered English through Old French refuge in the 1300s.