refresh

verb

re·​fresh ri-ˈfresh How to pronounce refresh (audio)
refreshed; refreshing; refreshes

transitive verb

1
: to restore strength and animation to : revive
2
: to freshen up : renovate
3
a
: to restore or maintain by renewing supply : replenish
b
: arouse, stimulate
let me refresh your memory
4
: to run water over or restore water to
5
: to update or renew (something, such as an image, the contents of a computer memory, or the displayed version of a Web page) especially by sending a new signal
… on a 720p HDTV, each pixel gets refreshed 60 times a second.Family Circle
If you are unsure of whether the content you are viewing on a Web page is current, you should refresh the Web page.Gary B. Shelley and Misty E. Vermaat

intransitive verb

1
: to become refreshed
2
: to take refreshment
3
: to lay in fresh provisions
refresh noun
Choose the Right Synonym for refresh

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of refresh in a Sentence

brought out some iced tea to refresh the spirits of the folks working out in the sun we were looking for a family-friendly restaurant where we could sit down and refresh before continuing
Recent Examples on the Web The Golden Bachelor has won critical and viewer praise for refreshing the show’s format by focusing on people over age 60 and seemingly more genuine emotions over the course of the season (though, as The Hollywood Reporter uncovered, Turner’s narrative isn’t as tidy as it’s presented on the show). Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023 And since this is Sedona/crystal country, the Crystal Grotto was also refreshed and redecorated. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Home deals Upgrade your vacuum or refresh your living room with these deals from Solo Stove, Ruggable and more. Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 28 Nov. 2023 Cyber Monday is arguably the best time to refresh your kitchen appliances. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023 Black Friday Furniture Deals Easily refresh your bedroom easily with this Ronin Tufted Wingback Bed will instantly create an inviting sense of luxury in your bedroom. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 An extensive refurbishment of the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa is also scheduled for completion in November 2024, while all 253 rooms at the Outrigger Fiji, the country’s first five-star beach resort, were refreshed in 2023. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 Some services check in multiple times a minute, while others refer to their last update of DNS data for hours before refreshing it. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 Reiterate it as much as possible, for their benefit and to refresh your goals. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refresh.' 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

Middle English refresshen, from Anglo-French refreschir, from re- + fresch fresh — more at fresh

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refresh was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near refresh

Cite this Entry

“Refresh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refresh. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

refresh

verb
re·​fresh ri-ˈfresh How to pronounce refresh (audio)
1
: to make fresh or fresher : revive
sleep refreshes the body
refreshed my memory by looking at my notes
2
: to restore or maintain by renewing supply

More from Merriam-Webster on refresh

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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