refresh

verb

re·​fresh ri-ˈfresh 

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

Synonyms of refresh

• restore
• revive
• recreate
• renew

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

This is one of the best times to refresh your bra and underwear drawer without paying full price — especially if your current ones poke, pinch, slide around, or have completely lost their shape. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

From breathable hiking sandals and orthopedic slip-ons to trending Mary Janes and jelly flats, Prime members can refresh their entire summer shoe collection for up to 51 percent off. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026

For those more keen on refreshing their homes, our team also has plenty of decor and appliance picks—including a luxury coffee maker—to recommend. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 25 June 2026

After they were blanked by the Argentines earlier, both Algeria and Austria get a chance to refresh the slate — though the latter team just needs a draw due to its superior goal differential. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 24 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing refresh

• refresh someone's memory

Rhymes for refresh

• afresh
• horseflesh
• creche
• flesh
• fresh
• lesch
• mesh
• resh
• thresh
• gilgamesh

Kids Definition

refresh

verb

re·​fresh ri-ˈfresh 

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