refill
Americanverb (used with or without object)
noun
verb
noun
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a replacement for a consumable substance in a permanent container
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a second or subsequent filling
a refill at the petrol station
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informal another drink to replace one already drunk
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have refilledperfect
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has refilledperfect 3rd person singular
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have been refillingperfect progressive
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are refillingprogressive
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am refillingprogressive 1st person singular
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is refillingprogressive 3rd person singular
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refillssingular 3rd person
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refillingparticiple
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has been refillingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had refilledperfect
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refilledsimple
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was refillingprogressive singular
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refilledparticiple
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were refillingprogressive plural
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had been refillingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of refill
Explanation
To refill is to fill something again, the way you refill your motorcycle's gas tank or refill your cat's water bowl when you notice it's almost empty. You can also refill a prescription, by going to the pharmacy and getting another month's worth of medication. The bottle of pills itself can also be called a refill. People commonly use this word as a noun for the act of filling up, too: "Hey, grab that waiter and ask for a refill on the Cokes!"
Vocabulary lists containing refill
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.
He was paying more to refill his rental as he headed for a flight home, after having paid much more for the ticket than earlier in the year.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
By choosing the cheese sticks for the deal, you’ve essentially broken even on your first plate, making every refill pure profit.
From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026
Meanwhile, there will be elevated demand from governments looking to refill depleted oil stockpiles and protect themselves against future shocks.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
The study concludes it will take 46 months—nearly four years—for manufacturers to refill the U.S. inventory.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026
She moved away from him, crouching to refill the oil lamp.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
