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
c
: lacking experience : raw
coming fresh to the job—
Helen Howe
Helen 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
1
: an increased flow or rush (as of water) : freshet
2
archaic
: a stream, spring, or pool of fresh water
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebOlivia 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
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
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
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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
Phrases Containing fresh
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.
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Kids Definition
fresh
adjectiveˈfresh
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
b
: pure entry 1 sense 1, invigorating
fresh air
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
adjective1
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
Nglish: Translation of fresh for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fresh for Arabic Speakers
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