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Synonyms

refreshing

American  
[ri-fresh-ing] / rɪˈfrɛʃ ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. having the power to restore freshness, vitality, energy, etc..

    a refreshing nap.

  2. pleasingly fresh or different.

    a refreshing lack of pretense.


refreshing British  
/ rɪˈfrɛʃɪŋ /

adjective

  1. able to or tending to refresh; invigorating

  2. pleasantly different or novel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • refreshingly adverb
  • refreshingness noun
  • unrefreshing adjective
  • unrefreshingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of refreshing

First recorded in 1570–80; refresh + -ing 2

Explanation

Something is refreshing if it reinvigorates you, or seems new and exciting. The offer of a refreshing glass of iced tea would be especially refreshing if it came from your normally cranky sister. Mint toothpaste is refreshing — clean and brisk — and a cool ocean breeze is refreshing on a hot day. If you're used to seeing wilted salads and pale lasagna in your school cafeteria every day, a refreshing change would be a taco bar or homemade pizza. Refreshing comes from the verb refresh, which has a Germanic root similar to frisc, "fresh" in Old High German.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing refreshing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s so refreshing to see hotels that don’t nickel-and-dime you.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"I went home from work, put on the news, and started refreshing Truth Social," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The main event was the “cooling steam therapy,” which Xie said was meant to be calming and refreshing and help relieve tired eyes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Scientists still do not fully understand what happens in the brain to create this sense of deep, refreshing rest.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

And then I sit there refreshing the browser over and over again until Nora bangs on my door.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli