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

Similarly freshen the inside of whichever entrance those who live here use most often with hooks for coats and bags, a landing spot for things like mail and mugs, and a basket for shoes. —Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025

Mercury in Gemini offers ideas to freshen your impact. —Usa Today, USA Today, 25 May 2025

Read on to discover the best linen spray options to freshen your bedspread, wow overnight visitors, or even use to perk up your wardrobe staples pre-laundry day. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2025

Brooker cycles through the stock beats of the police narrative and freshens them all up using his wonderfully weird premise. —Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Apr. 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