fresh

adjective \ ˈfresh \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: fresh in a Sentence

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

This time, France should be fresher than Croatia, having four full days to reset for the final after beating Belgium 1-0.

— john leicester, chicagotribune.com, "Five reasons why France will win the World Cup final," 14 July 2018
Cyclosporiasis has been reported in the United States since the mid-1990s, after the country started to import significantly more food, particularly fresh fruit and vegetables.

— matthew haag, New York Times, "McDonald’s Removes Salads Linked to Intestinal Parasite Outbreak in Midwest," 13 July 2018
This transfer had hidden meaning to San Diego politician and former Superior Court Judge Larry Stirling, hired fresh out of the Army as a city administrative trainee.

— diane bell, sandiegouniontribune.com, "When Hoover High cafeteria worker's story goes viral, her 'other life' is revealed," 13 July 2018
People often contract the illness after eating fresh produce contaminated with the parasite.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "More Than 100 People Ill From Parasite Possibly Linked to McDonald's Salads," 13 July 2018
What if the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Minnesota Vikings, fresh off their respective championship game losses at the end of the last NFL season, had to pack up a week later and meet each other for the bronze Lombardi.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "No one cares about the pointless World Cup bronze playoff. So FIFA should scrap it," 12 July 2018
This means that a contestant fresh out of law school with $40,000 in debt can earn an order of magnitude more from the show than a community college graduate with just $4,000 in debt.

— derek thompson, The Atlantic, "Win a Game Show, Pay Off Your Student Debt," 12 July 2018
And water siphoned off the Sacramento River in the northern delta would be fresher than what’s pumped now from the more brackish southern region.

— george skelton, latimes.com, "What do Southern Californians really get out of Gov. Jerry Brown's twin tunnels project?," 12 July 2018
Sprouts offers fresh produce, meats and bulk-food items as well as a large selection of organic foods.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Sprouts Farmers Market sets opening date for Winter Park store," 11 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

fresh Synonyms

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

In a cocktail shaker combine ice with ½ cup 100% pomegranate juice, ¼ cup aquafaba, ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon manuka honey, and ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger root.

— Health.com, "6 Mocktail Recipes That Make Happy Hour Way Healthier," 12 July 2018
Russian state television will revel in showcasing the country’s leader—fresh from hosting the World Cup—on an equal footing with the most powerful man in the world.

— anna arutunyan, Time, "No Matter What Happens in Helsinki, Putin Has Already Won," 10 July 2018
Her features were perfect, her breath fresh from chewing the wild mint that grew on the farm.

— courant.com, "Sharon E. Torrant," 8 July 2018
Stanton’s second goal came at a crucial juncture late in the second quarter, Salisbury fresh off three straight goals to cut its deficit to 4-3.

— owen pence, BostonGlobe.com, "Merrimack trounces Saint Leo to win Division 2 title," 27 May 2018
The Twins may have snagged the bargain of the offseason when 30-year-old 1B Logan Morrison – fresh off a career-high 38 homers – agreed to a $6.5 million deal for 2018.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Progress report: Minnesota Twins," 14 Mar. 2018
On the same day, Cato issued a recall of fresh cut watermelon, honey dew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing one of these melons produced at its Indianapolis facility.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Tainted melons trigger 3 salmonella lawsuits in Midwest," 12 June 2018
Def Leppard is touring fresh from becoming one of the last multiplatinum-selling acts to have its music made available on streaming and download sites.

— mark kennedy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "When Def Leppard and Journey come to Summerfest together, expect the hits," 25 May 2018
Rather than pay a premium for experienced workers, some employers would prefer to bring on fresh-faced grads and train them, Yildirmaz says.

— paul davidson, USA TODAY, "Salaries for graduates seeking first jobs rose 5.2% from last year," 18 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of fresh

see ¹fresh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

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 fresh water

Recent Examples of fresh from the Web

In the meantime, don't hold your breath waiting for Alexa to suggest the best deli-fresh chipped ham.

— courtney linder, The Christian Science Monitor, "Voice assistants can't understand Pittsburghese," 19 Apr. 2018
Some recipes call for Dijon mustard or fresh chopped herbs such as thyme or rosemary.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "You asked for it: How to make tasty French Brasserie style steak," 21 Sep. 2017
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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

FRESH Defined for English Language Learners

fresh

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

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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Definition of fresh for English Language Learners

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