refreshing

adjective

re·​fresh·​ing ri-ˈfre-shiŋ 

: serving to refresh

especially : agreeably stimulating because of freshness or newness

a refreshing change of pace

refreshingly

ri-ˈfre-shiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bracing
• cordial
• invigorating
• rejuvenating
• restorative
• reviving
• stimulating
• stimulative
• tonic
• vital
• vitalizing

Examples of refreshing in a Sentence

Working on the new project was a refreshing change.

It is refreshing to hear some good news about him.

a refreshing glass of cold water

My swim was very refreshing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Southern Living Community Tips There are as many variations on Ranch Water as there are fans of the refreshing, easy cocktail. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024

The city’s first Michelin Green Star restaurant, Seroja, sources many ingredients from the island and neighboring Malaysia and uses vegetable trimmings to create nonalcoholic drinks, such as a refreshing cocktail of watercress, sansho pepper, and water chestnut. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024

Finely grated carrot ripples throughout the salad, providing refreshing moisture and sweetness. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

The result at times carries the whiff of something simultaneously refreshing and nostalgic: less a vacation project and closer to an imagined hybrid of Dostoevsky, Eric Rohmer and Claude Chabrol, in which an inconvenient romantic spark leads to cold-blooded problem-solving. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

The refreshing cerveza pairs well with a total eclipse, when the sun’s corona, the outermost layer, becomes visible for those in the path of totality. —Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024

Try serving it as a fresh side with steak from the grill, or have it for lunch by making the quinoa mix ahead and adding the greens just before digging in. 15 of 23 Cucumber-Tomato Salad View Recipe Need a refreshing side dish? —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2024

What to drink: The Toki Highball is a classic, refreshing mix of Japanese whisky, soda, and a choice or lemon or orange aromatics, which are sprayed directly into the glass. —Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

Keep refreshing daily to see if any new opportunities pop up. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

refreshing

adjective

re·​fresh·​ing ri-ˈfresh-iŋ 

: serving to refresh

especially : pleasing because of freshness or newness