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

But this roster is still loaded with talent; and there should be fresh opportunities for the young Ekitike (age 23) and Florian Wirtz (22) up front. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Today, this means checking the weekly flyer, planning meals around what's fresh and affordable, and using seasonal abundance to guide your shopping. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025

Adverb

Starting fresh, scientists will be able to illuminate the mysteries of metabolism, development, and perhaps even consciousness in ways that editing genes cannot support. —Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025

The mom of two looked fresh-faced and let her hair stay loose and curly. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2025

Noun

Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam for $249 ($48 off): A green tea infusion in this affordable mattress keeps the foam fresh. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 8 Oct. 2025

In addition to pollen, the purifier captures dust, pet dander, and unwanted odors to keep your home extra fresh (which is especially handy in the colder months when the windows stay closed). —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 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