refresh

[ ri-fresh ]
/ rɪˈfrɛʃ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR refresh ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to take refreshment, especially food or drink.
to become fresh or vigorous again; revive.

Origin of refresh

1325–75; Middle English refreschen < Middle French refreschir, Old French. See re-, fresh

OTHER WORDS FROM refresh

re·fresh·ful, adjective re·fresh·ful·ly, adverb un·re·freshed, adjective well-re·freshed, adjective

Words nearby refresh

refrain, reframe, refrangible, refreeze, refresco, refresh, refresh rate, refreshen, refresher, refresher course, refreshing

VOCAB BUILDER

What does refresh mean?

To refresh is to reinvigorate, renew, or restore something to its original condition or a better state.

In the context of technology, refresh most commonly means to reload a web page or app in order to access the most recent or updated version of a display or feed.

Example: It’s amazing how much a hot shower can really refresh your spirit.

Where does refresh come from?

The first records of refresh come from the 1300s. It comes from the Middle English refreschen. It is made up of the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and fresh, generally meaning “new” or “not stale.”

To refresh something is often to make it fresh or like new again. You can refresh your look by getting some new clothes, or maybe a haircut. Similarly, you can refresh a room by giving it a new coat of paint. When you refresh someone’s memory, you restore it by doing something to remind them of something they forgot about or couldn’t think of.

Refresh is used in more specific ways in the context of technology. We refresh (or reload) web pages and social media feeds to make sure they’re displaying the most recent content. Screens like computer monitors and TVs refresh the image on the screen rapidly—when buying one, you might consider its refresh rate.

Most commonly, refresh means to reinvigorate, reenergize, or restore, especially a person’s physical state or spirit. You could tell your guests to refresh themselves by having refreshments, which refers to light food and drink. People refresh themselves on a hot day by having cold drinks—which are often described as refreshing. At the end of a hard day, you refresh yourself through sleep—hopefully the kind that leaves you feeling refreshed.

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What are some other forms related to refresh?

  • refreshed (adjective, past tense verb)
  • refreshing (adjective, continuous tense verb)
  • unrefreshed (adjective)
  • well-refreshed (adjective)
  • refreshful (adjective)
  • refreshfully (adverb)

What are some synonyms for refresh?

What are some words that share a root or word element with refresh? 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing refresh?

How is refresh used in real life?

Refresh is a very common word that can be used in many different contexts, most of which involve renewing or restoring something in a way that improves it. It’s also that thing you do to reload your social feed a million times.

 

 

Try using refresh!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for refresh?

A. revive
B. rejuvenate
C. retry
D. renew

Words related to refresh

rejuvenate, reinvigorate, revive, replenish, exhilarate, stimulate, cool, regain, restore, prompt, repair, enliven, brace, recreate, reanimate, update, renovate, revivify, cheer, revitalize

Example sentences from the Web for refresh

British Dictionary definitions for refresh

refresh
/ (rɪˈfrɛʃ) /

verb

(usually tr or reflexive) to make or become fresh or vigorous, as through rest, drink, or food; revive or reinvigorate
(tr) to enliven (something worn or faded), as by adding new decorations
(tr) to stimulate (the memory)
(tr) to replenish, as with new equipment or stores
computing to display the latest updated version (of a web page or document); reload

Derived forms of refresh

refreshful, adjective

Word Origin for refresh

C14: from Old French refreschir; see re-, fresh

Medical definitions for refresh

refresh
[ rĭ-frĕsh′ ]

v.

To cause to recuperate; revive.
To renew by stimulation.
To pare or scrape the edges of a wound to promote healing.