fresh

play

adjective \ ˈfresh \

Definition of fresh

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

[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

See fresh defined for English-language learners

See fresh defined for kids

Examples of fresh in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of fresh from the Web

Every sandwich comes in a Meat & Bread-style cardboard box, but Cheese Meats Bread’s have a cute separate compartment for a fresh-tasting, if basic, mixed green salad.

— bethany jean clement, The Seattle Times, "Grilled cheese gets fancy at Seattle’s Cheese Meats Bread," 28 Aug. 2017
Le Pain Quotidien, a bakery-restaurant chain founded in Brussels, is bringing its fresh baked breads, artisanal menu and rustic interior decor to downtown Naperville.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Le Pain Quotidien signs lease for Naperville bakery-restaurant," 28 Aug. 2017
And unfortunately, there’s no fresh glimpse of Selma Blair’s character, who was recently announced as an addition to the series.

— yohana desta, HWD, "The New Heathers Looks Nothing Like the Original," 28 Aug. 2017
Put fresh gasoline in your chain saw and test run it.

— roy berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The Homeowner's Last-Minute Hurricane Prep Checklist," 25 Aug. 2017
MAKE THIS Grilled salmon with dill In a bowl, whisk together 2/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "White, rosé or red — many wines match grilled salmon," 24 Aug. 2017
Lack of depth routinely left Indiana vulnerable late in close games last season, to the extent that coaches have suggested more options and fresher legs could’ve meant one or two more wins, at least.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "IU's Chase Dutra willing to lay it all on the line in final season," 24 Aug. 2017
Though some of its pizzas are unconventional, every pizza from Pizzanista! has all natural toppings, fresh homemade sauce, and a crust that’s crispy, chewy, and a little bubbly.

— steffi victorioso, Los Angeles Magazine, "Every Pizza at Pizzanista!, Ranked," 23 Aug. 2017
Naturally, fresh hydrangeas accent tabletops, and other old-school touches, like vintage luggage trunks, decorate the store’s unique interior.

— katelyn chef, Town & Country, "An Exclusive Tour of the KJP Flagship Store," 23 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fresh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fresh

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

fresh Synonyms

Synonyms

brand-new, mint, pristine, span-new, virgin, virginal

Antonyms

stale

Related Words

unaltered, unblemished, unbruised, uncontaminated, undamaged, undefiled, unharmed, unhurt, unimpaired, uninjured, unmarred, unpolluted, unsoiled, unspoiled, unsullied, untainted, untouched, unworn; new, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span)

Near Antonyms

blemished, broken, bruised, damaged, defaced, defiled, disfigured, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, marred, soiled, sullied, tainted; faded, shopworn, used, well-worn, worn; contaminated, polluted, spoiled; hand-me-down, second hand

Synonym Discussion of 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

fresh

adverb

Definition of fresh

:just recently :newly

we're fresh out of eggs

See fresh defined for English-language learners

Examples of fresh in a Sentence

This bread was baked fresh.

Recent Examples of fresh from the Web

The menu includes things like soups, customizable salads, and fresh pressed juices using local produce.

— kelly poe, AL.com, "Bitty's Living Kitchen opens in Pizitz Food Hall," 11 Aug. 2017
Buy frozen or canned While buying fresh is often the tastiest option, fresh fruits and vegetables expire quickly and can get expensive.

— paige difiore, USA TODAY, "How to save money on food when you live alone," 9 Aug. 2017
City fans - fresh from seeing the clip themselves - couldn't help but reply en masse to the gif in question either: Always said that Wilf has a great first touch...

— SI.com, "VIDEO: Wilfried the Wizard! Man City Outcast Shows Off Stunning Ball Control During Training Session," 1 Aug. 2017
Tong picked herbs, leaving the leaves whole, so that some bites would be bright and fresh, standing out against others, sharp and sweet and tingling with heat.

— tejal rao, New York Times, "Hot-Weather Comfort Food," 20 July 2017
Instead of revising an old plan, start fresh by asking yourself: What parts of working are most important to me — the paycheck?

— amy lindgren, Twin Cities, "Working Strategies: Curating your job search at a certain age," 10 June 2017
Ideally, the team is looking for a family that has an understanding of the effects of trauma and can start each day fresh.

— idahostatesman, "Sunday’s Child: Meet Auston," 2 June 2017
Only this time, Kate McKinnon played the part of Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway and not Hillary Clinton fresh from a defeat in the presidential race.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson belt out 'Hallelujah' as Trumps on 'SNL'," 21 May 2017
Derrickson is coming fresh off the critical and commercial success of Marvel's Doctor Strange, which earned more than $230 million domestically at the box office since its November 2016 release.

— kate stanhope, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Hamilton's' Daveed Diggs to Star in TNT's 'Snowpiercer' Remake," 17 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of fresh

see ¹fresh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

fresh

noun

Definition of fresh

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

2 archaic :a stream, spring, or pool of freshwater

Recent Examples of fresh from the Web

This is particularly true of the three-liter size, where economies of scale allow vintners to offer the equivalent of four standard bottles for remarkably low prices in a package that keeps wine tasting fresh for up to 60 days.

— marnie old, Philly.com, "Great Wine Values: René Barbier 'Mediterranean Red' from Catalonia, Spain," 10 Aug. 2017
With the memory of the Women's March fresh in mind, songs about finding your strength in a world trying to hold you back are topical and widely relatable.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Review: Kesha achieves greatness on comeback album 'Rainbow'," 10 Aug. 2017
But this year, with Sabia's death fresh in their memory, the team delivered its best run.

— matthew conyers, courant.com, "Emotional Stamford Sweeps West Hartford For American Legion State Title," 29 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of fresh

see ¹fresh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1538

See Words from the same year

FRESH Defined for English Language Learners

fresh

play

adjective

Definition of fresh for English Language Learners

: newly produced, made, gathered, etc. : not preserved by being frozen, canned, etc.
: not old, spoiled, etc.
: clean and pure

fresh

adverb

Definition of fresh for English Language Learners

: just recently

FRESH Defined for Kids

fresh

play

adjective \ ˈfresh \

Definition of fresh for Students

fresher; freshest

1 :not salt

fresh water

2 :pure 1, brisk

fresh air

a fresh breeze

3 :not frozen, canned, or pickled

fresh vegetables

4 :not stale, sour, or spoiled

fresh bread

5 :not dirty or rumpled

a fresh shirt

6 :¹new 4

Let's make a fresh start.

7 :newly made or received

a fresh wound

fresh news

8 :rude and disrespectful

fresh talk

—

freshly

adverb

—

freshness

noun

Law Dictionary

fresh

adjective

legal Definition of fresh

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

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fresh

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fresh

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fresh

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fresh

Definition of fresh for English Language Learners

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