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 of freshen

• 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

Neither does freshening with sprays or perfumed products like dryer sheets. —Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026

Placed on a bedside table, in a bathroom, or even in a dorm room where candles may not be allowed, the fragrant mixture offers an easy way to freshen a space without artificial fragrances. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

The way your house smells does more than freshen the air. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026

To freshen it up, Turner recommends using a hair dryer on the lowest setting to gently blow away dust. —Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026

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