What does refuge mean?
A refuge is shelter, protection, or a place of safety from danger, persecution, or hardship. It may describe a physical location, such as a church, house, or country that offers protection, or the condition of being safe from trouble. The expression “take refuge” is particularly common and suggests escaping from danger or seeking a secure place. Refuge can also be used more figuratively for emotional or social protection, as when someone finds refuge in a relationship, a community, or a familiar activity. The word has a somewhat serious, literary tone, but it remains common in journalism and discussion of refugees, persecution, and displacement. Its basic sense is closely associated with the Latin refugium, a place of refuge or escape.
Shelter or protection from danger, persecution, or difficulty.
"The survivors took refuge in the hills until the danger had passed."
Often used in the established phrase “take refuge” and in contexts involving persecution, conflict, or severe hardship.
A place where someone or something is safe from danger, persecution, or difficulty.
"The old monastery became a refuge for those fleeing the conflict."
Can be literal or figurative; figurative uses often refer to emotional, social, or intellectual protection.
The usual plural form is refuges.
"The organization provides temporary refuges for families displaced by the conflict."
From the Latin refugium, meaning “a place of escape,” refuge has long described both a hiding place and the protection it provides.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does refuge come from?
The word comes through Old French refuge from Latin refugium, a combining form based on refugere, “to flee back” or “to take refuge.” The root fugere means “to flee,” which is the source of several English words connected with flight or escape. In modern English, refuge has developed the broad meanings of both shelter and a place where protection is granted.
Related word forms
How refuge is actually used
Common in formal and literary contexts as well as everyday speech. The phrase “take refuge” is especially common; the word often carries a sense of escape from danger, persecution, or serious hardship.
Easily confused with refuge
Shelter can be the protection itself, a building offering protection, or the act of taking cover, whereas refuge more strongly conveys a secure place or means of escape from danger.
Sanctuary often implies religious, legal, or moral protection, while refuge is broader and can refer to any place of safety from danger or hardship.