freshen

verb

fresh·​en ˈfre-shən 

freshened; freshening ˈfre-sh(ə-)niŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to grow or become fresh: such as

a

of wind : to increase in strength

b

: to become fresh in appearance or vitality

—usually used with up

freshen up with a shower

2

of a milk animal : to begin lactating

transitive verb

: to make fresh

also : refresh, revive

freshener

ˈfre-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

Synonyms of freshen

• restore
• refresh
• revive
• recreate
• renew
• renovate

Examples of freshen in a Sentence

a mint that freshens the breath

Can I freshen your drink?

Recent Examples on the Web

Black clothes can be freshened with a clothes steamer or fabric spray between wearings. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025

Elena Mercurio, aromatherapy educator and clinical herbalist at Aura Cacia, recommends starting with a room spray to freshen the air without getting too heavy-handed. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 6 Nov. 2025

Read on to learn 13 applicable ways to freshen the rustic look. —Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025

Like the rest of the Pure Amazon experience, the cabin service is top-notch, with room freshening three times a day. —Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing freshen

• freshen up

Rhymes for freshen

• cession
• hessian
• pression
• session
• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion

Kids Definition

freshen

verb

fresh·​en ˈfresh-ən 

freshened; freshening -(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to make or become fresh : refresh

freshen up with a shower

2

: to become brisk or strong

the wind freshened

3

: to brighten in appearance

freshen up a room with some color

freshener

-(ə-)nər 

noun

Medical Definition

freshen

transitive verb

fresh·​en ˈfresh-ən 

freshened; freshening ˈfresh-(ə-)niŋ 

of a milk animal

: to begin lactating