fresh

1 of 3

adjective

ˈfresh 

1

a

: having its original qualities unimpaired: such as

(1)

: full of or renewed in vigor : refreshed

rose fresh from a good night's sleep

(2)

: not stale, sour, or decayed

fresh bread

(3)

: not faded

lessons fresh in her memory

(4)

: not worn or rumpled

a fresh white shirt

(5)

: not having an unpleasant taste, smell, etc.

had fresh breath

b

: not altered by processing

fresh vegetables

2

a

: not salt

fresh water

b(1)

: free from taint : pure

fresh air

(2)

of wind : moderately strong

a fresh breeze

3

a(1)

: experienced, made, or received newly or anew

a fresh wound

form fresh friendships

(2)

: additional, another

a fresh start

b

: original, vivid

a fresh portrayal

fresh insights

c

: lacking experience : raw

a fresh recruit

d

: having just left or come

fresh from school

fresh out of college

e

: having the milk flow recently established

a fresh cow

4

[probably by folk etymology from German frech] : impudent, rude

Don't get fresh with me!

5

slang : fashionable, cool

freshly adverb

freshness noun

see also:

breath of fresh air

fresh

2 of 3

adverb

: just recently : newly

We're fresh out of eggs.

fresh

3 of 3

noun

1

: an increased flow or rush (as of water) : freshet

2

archaic : a stream, spring, or pool of fresh water

Synonyms of fresh

Adjective

• mint
• pristine
• virginal

Choose the Right Synonym for fresh

new, novel, original, fresh mean having recently come into existence or use.

new may apply to what is freshly made and unused

new brick

or has not been known before

new designs

or not experienced before.

starts the new job

novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

Examples of fresh in a Sentence

Adjective

You can use either fresh or dried basil for this recipe.

The meat was kept fresh in the refrigerator.

a bouquet of fresh flowers

He changed into a fresh shirt.

She brought a fresh change of clothes.

She rose fresh from a good night's sleep.

Adverb

This bread was baked fresh.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That leaves strands noticeably fresher and fuller, adding more movement without the heavy feel and buildup that can accompany silicones. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026

Yosemite records few rabid bats, with the last case in 2025, but other national parks have issued rabies alerts within days or weeks, raising fresh questions about Yosemite’s public-health communication. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Skubal's return to Detroit came at an interesting time as the NL West leaders came into the evening fresh off of three-straight losses to the Atlanta Braves. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Most of it is bigeye and yellowfin tuna, which is sold fresh as high-grade fish used in poke and sushi. — NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

How To Remove Lingering Odors or Mildew Smells To tackle lingering odors or mildew smells, try adding one cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle, which helps break down odor-causing bacteria and leaves your bath mat smelling fresh. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

The company’s first non-Finnish CEO, Stephen Elop (a Canadian fresh off a two-year stint on Microsoft’s leadership team), did not mince words. — IEEE Spectrum, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French fresch, freis, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German frisc fresh; akin to Old English fersc fresh

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing fresh

• breath of fresh air
• fresh as a daisy
• fresh blood
• fresh breeze
• fresh-faced
• fresh gale
• fresh in one's mind
• fresh/just off the boat
• fresh out
• fresh out of/from
• fresh water
• make a fresh/new start

Rhymes for fresh

• creche
• flesh
• lesch
• mesh
• resh
• thresh
• afresh
• horseflesh
• refresh
• gilgamesh

Kids Definition

fresh

adjective

ˈfresh

1

a

: not frozen, canned, or pickled

fresh fish

fresh vegetables

b

: not stale, sour, or spoiled

fresh bread

c

: not worn, dirty, or wrinkled

a fresh shirt

2

a

: not salt

fresh water

b

: pure entry 1 sense 1, invigorating

fresh air

c

: fairly strong : brisk

fresh breeze

3

a

: newly made or received

a fresh wound

b

: new entry 1 sense 6

make a fresh start

c

: remaining clear or vivid

fresh in my mind

4

: behaving or talking in a rude or disrespectful way

don't get fresh with me

freshly adverb

freshness noun

Legal Definition

fresh

adjective

1

a

: free of the detrimental effects of delay (as the fading of memories)

b

: characterized by promptness

2

: experienced, made, or received newly or anew

a resumed interrogation requiring fresh Miranda warnings