refresh

verb

re·​fresh ri-ˈfresh How to pronounce refresh (audio)
refreshed; refreshing; refreshes
Synonyms of refreshnext

transitive verb

1
: to restore strength and animation to : revive
2
: to freshen up : renovate
3
a
: to restore or maintain by renewing supply : replenish
b
: arouse, stimulate
let me refresh your memory
4
: to run water over or restore water to
5
: to update or renew (something, such as an image, the contents of a computer memory, or the displayed version of a Web page) especially by sending a new signal
… on a 720p HDTV, each pixel gets refreshed 60 times a second.—Family Circle
If you are unsure of whether the content you are viewing on a Web page is current, you should refresh the Web page.—Gary B. Shelley and Misty E. Vermaat

intransitive verb

1
: to become refreshed
2
: to take refreshment
3
: to lay in fresh provisions
refresh noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for refresh

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of refresh in a Sentence

brought out some iced tea to refresh the spirits of the folks working out in the sun we were looking for a family-friendly restaurant where we could sit down and refresh before continuing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After a three-year hiatus, Apple finally refreshed the iPad Mini with a new seventh generation model for 2024. —Rudie Obias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 Goldman Sachs has refreshed its list of top stock picks in Asia to include two automotive stocks: India’s Mahindra and Mahindra and Japan’s Honda Motor . —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024 Read on for a weekend wellness itinerary that will leave you feeling rested and refreshed. —Anna Haines, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Eager to refresh your winter wardrobe early with a new pair of Uggs? —Averi Baudler, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for refresh 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English refresshen, from Anglo-French refreschir, from re- + fresch fresh — more at fresh

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refresh was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing refresh

Dictionary Entries Near refresh

refrenation

refresh

refreshant

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Refresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refresh. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

refresh

verb
re·​fresh ri-ˈfresh How to pronounce refresh (audio)
1
: to make fresh or fresher : revive
sleep refreshes the body
refreshed my memory by looking at my notes
2
: to restore or maintain by renewing supply

More from Merriam-Webster on refresh

Nglish: Translation of refresh for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of refresh for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...