freshen

verb

fresh·​en ˈfre-shən 

freshened; freshening ˈfre-sh(ə-)niŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to grow or become fresh: such as

a

of wind : to increase in strength

b

: to become fresh in appearance or vitality

—usually used with up

freshen up with a shower

2

of a milk animal : to begin lactating

transitive verb

: to make fresh

also : refresh, revive

freshener

ˈfre-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

Synonyms

• restore
• refresh
• revive
• recreate
• renew
• renovate

Examples of freshen in a Sentence

a mint that freshens the breath

Can I freshen your drink?

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bermuda Blue Citrus was available in unique cleaning, laundry, and air-freshening items, including a fragrance booster, laundry detergent sheets, fabric softener dryer sheets, an essential oil refill, and a solid air freshener gel. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025

In parts of South Asia, people often eat mukhwas—a seed blend typically made with fennel and coriander—to freshen breath and aid digestion. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025

Some genre subversion would be welcome, to freshen things up a bit. —Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2025

After all, gum is the ultimate multitasker – freshening breath, calming nerves and even sharpening focus. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing freshen

• freshen up

Rhymes for freshen

• cession
• hessian
• pression
• session
• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion

Kids Definition

freshen

verb

fresh·​en ˈfresh-ən 

freshened; freshening -(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to make or become fresh : refresh

freshen up with a shower

2

: to become brisk or strong

the wind freshened

3

: to brighten in appearance

freshen up a room with some color

freshener

-(ə-)nər 

noun

Medical Definition

freshen

transitive verb

fresh·​en ˈfresh-ən 

freshened; freshening ˈfresh-(ə-)niŋ 

of a milk animal

: to begin lactating