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

Examples of fresh in a Sentence

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
But wait — there are frozen waterfalls to see, outdoor Christmas markets to shop, and ski slopes coated in fresh snow begging to be shredded. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023 Personal networks are invaluable for providing fresh perspectives, advice, guidance, and support in your broader career journey. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Optional garnish: Pomegranate seeds or chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or both Kimball is the creator of Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street TV show, cooking school and a cookbook author. Christopher Kimball, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023 In 2023, instead of a fresh pant width or rise length, denim skirts took over the streets. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023 Skip the trip to the grocery store and make your own fresh and delicious meals with Hello Fresh’s meal kit. Donna Kim, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023 Some posts are delightful, riffing on the fresh chords of a new social network, one that’s still finding its rhythm. WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023 Bieber, who turns 27 on November 22, kicked off her birthday week with a fresh new manicure from her go-to nail artist Zola Ganzorigt. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Nov. 2023 The Latin Grammys also highlighted fresh talent like this year’s best new artist nominees, some of whom sang backup vocals for Juanes’ performance. Thania Garcia, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
Adverb
Here are some practical products to keep your wardrobe investments looking fresh: a fabric shaver that removes fuzz from your clothes and upholstery, and a handheld steamer that smoothes out wrinkles (and is small enough to pack into a bag). Malia Griggs, SELF, 4 Oct. 2023 Here are some practical products to keep your wardrobe investments looking fresh: a fabric shaver that removes fuzz from your clothes, and a handheld steamer that smoothes out wrinkles. Malia Griggs, SELF, 11 Oct. 2023 Every item is made the night before by their team of bakers and sold fresh the following morning. oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2023 Corrin’s cut comes fresh off the heels of Florence Pugh’s rosy pink iteration at the Valentino couture show last week, calling to mind the onslaught of platinum and pastel buzz cuts that defined 2017. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 10 July 2023 Building fresh ruled the day and a new $569 million stadium started taking shape, thanks to the work of Cox Architecture. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 17 July 2023 Read more: The Best Fanny Packs, The Best Weekender Bags Here are some practical products to keep your wardrobe investments looking fresh: a fabric shaver that removes fuzz from your clothes and upholstery, and a handheld steamer that smoothes out wrinkles (and is small enough to pack into a bag). Malia Griggs, SELF, 11 July 2023 The last two groups of the third round displayed four ways to make par on No. 15, coming fresh off the 628-yard par-five No. 14 and facing a gauntlet of three difficult holes to complete the round. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2023 Baldwin’s re-election launch comes fresh off a Democratic victory in Wisconsin, where liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz won an open state Supreme Court seat last week by a 11 point margin. Hope Karnopp, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2023
Noun
Firstly, applying hot steam to clothes helps to kill bacteria and keep fabric fresh, so a shower steam or travel steamer can help in this respect. Lauren Burvill, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2023 These boots boast a unique anti-odor technology that minimizes the smell of a hard day on the trails, keeping you feeling (and smelling) fresh. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2023 Flashbacks keep the past fresh, particularly for Ely, whose skittishness and shame are unusually potent. Olivia Waite, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023 Kiwis Kiwis taste delicious fresh, and among other benefits, are good to eat to promote healthy skin and hair. Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023 Maybe this frugality is meant to give Cruise different people to play against, and to keep the cast fresh. Vulture, 13 July 2023 Its 81 rooms and suites deliver old Italian charm with modern upgrades; ongoing renovations keep the old favorite fresh. Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023 There’s also a whole-house water filter to keep your H20 fresh. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 June 2023 When paired with a half to full stick of butter, the crock creates an airtight seal that keeps the butter fresh. Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023 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 2 Dec. 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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