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

Spot cleaning stains or using a home dry cleaning kit to freshen the fabric will also keep the coat looking better. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025

Hang or place organza bags of soap inside closets and dresser drawers to freshen clothes. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025

Created by Hank Green and Bernie Su and starring Ashley Clements as Lizzie Bennet, this series adaptation stays true to the original while freshening the storylines and reimagining some of the relationships. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

Elena Mercurio, aromatherapy educator and clinical herbalist at Aura Cacia, recommends starting with a room spray to freshen the air without getting too heavy-handed. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 6 Nov. 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