fresh

1 of 3

adjective

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 jobHelen 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
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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
London While Heathrow Airport made its debut in 1946, the LHR Centurion Lounge offers a wealth of polished amenities fresh from the 21st century. Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2023 The food is Italy at its best: prosciutto, ricotta, fresh oil and bread. Hazlitt, 22 Mar. 2023 The show is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 85% critics score. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 22 Mar. 2023 Amritpal Singh’s rapid rise in the public domain has returned the Khalistan movement to the forefront, stirring fresh fears of violence in a state that has long grappled with resentment towards the government. Rhea Mogul, CNN, 22 Mar. 2023 There’s no better way to welcome the new season than by giving your home a fresh update with a warm and inviting look. Sofia Quintero, ELLE Decor, 22 Mar. 2023 It's got the best blend of fresh ingredients and easy comfort food. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2023 In fresh evidence published Wednesday, however, the cabinet secretary Simon Case denied telling Johnson that covid rules and guidance were followed at all times. William Booth, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2023 Avalanche forecasters say the storm is expected to add fresh accumulation to an already unstable snowpack in the mountains south of Anchorage. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Mar. 2023
Adverb
Bembelé, along with a drummer and dancer, invited us to stop in the shade for ice water and fresh-cut pineapple. Anika Fajardo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2023 Continuing north, the Klondike Highway passes numerous lakes and roadside eats like the giant cinnamon buns baked fresh every day at Braeburn Lodge or the juicy burgers at Coal Mine Campground & Canteen. Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023 The Middle Eastern restaurant serves pita and hummus, falafel and fresh-made rice pudding. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2023 Beyond oil, yolks, vinegar, salt, and MSG (or yeast extract!), there’s not much else to Kewpie—there’s no added sugar, and the combination of vinegar and salt keeps it fresh-tasting without chemical preservatives. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 3 Dec. 2021 Models like Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid, and Winnie Harlow always look fresh-faced off duty. Sydney Wingfield, Glamour, 29 Dec. 2022 For crunch and tang alongside them, there are quick-pickled, fine-cut cabbage (curtido), and fresh-tasting tomato salsa. Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2021 Our panel liked its fresh-tasting herbs and flavorful bits of tomatoes and onions, as well as its brighter hue. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2023 Enjoy huckleberries fresh-picked or use them as a substitute in recipes that call for blueberries. Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2023
Noun
How does an actor keep the material fresh, night after night? Peter Marks, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023 Think nourishing smoothies, fresh-from-the-boat fish tacos with hearty homemade green curries, and red lentil dahls. Kelley Mullarkey, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2023 His comments about running the ball more to keep his defense fresh created a stir on social media. Dallas News, 3 Mar. 2023 This will help prevent freezer burn and keep the icing fresh. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023 The supporting cast around him is keeping Bergeron fresh. Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Dec. 2022 After meticulous adjustment by Wolfgang Rietzel, Porsche of America's service representative, one of our otherwise-stock test cars clocked 0–60 mph in 6.8 seconds—substantially better than the average 911 fresh off the showroom floor. Car and Driver, 27 Jan. 2023 While Cleveland has continued to flounder with two straight losses, the Bucs are maybe hitting a stride after winning their last two, and in a likely benefit to Brady and Co., are coming into this one fresh off of their bye week. Ashley Bastock, cleveland, 23 Nov. 2022 The Aggies come into this contest fresh off a bye week after a close loss to Alabama. Dallas News, 22 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fresh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fresh was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fresh

Cite this Entry

“Fresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fresh. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fresh

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