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

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

form fresh friendships

(2)

: additional, another

a fresh start

b

: original, vivid

a fresh portrayal

c

: lacking experience : raw

coming fresh to the job

—Helen Howe

d

: just come or arrived

fresh from school

e

: having the milk flow recently established

a fresh cow

4

[probably by folk etymology from German frech] : disposed to take liberties : impudent

don't get fresh with me

5

slang : fashionable, cool

freshly adverb

freshness noun

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

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

Designer Elizabeth Ghia’s inspiring spaces bring icons of design history into the 21st century for spaces that feel fresh yet classic. —Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025

Everything then was fresh, local, and far more creative than people of today can even imagine. —James Dodson july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025

Adverb

The result is a snow that tastes fresh fallen, of course. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025

Guests can also enjoy the PAC-MAN doughnuts in a Krispy Kreme 6-pack box, which are delivered fresh every day to select retailers. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 May 2025

Noun

Tart and fresh, with a splash of red-berry fruits—not market basket fresh, but more like freshly picked off the bush—and a little bramble. —Lana Bortolot, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

In the meantime, keep those feeders sparkling clean and the nectar fresh. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

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