refresh
Americanverb (used with object)
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refreshes,
present (3rd person singular)
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refreshed,
past participle, past
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refreshing
present participle
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to provide new vigor and energy by rest, food, etc. (often used reflexively).
- Synonyms:
- revive
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to stimulate (the memory).
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to make fresh again; reinvigorate or cheer (a person, the mind, spirits, etc.).
- Antonyms:
- discourage, dispirit
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to freshen in appearance, color, etc., as by a restorative.
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Computers.
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to access (the most recent version of a web page) from the internet instead of from the cache.
I refreshed the page to see the current stock price before executing my online trade.
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to display (an image) repeatedly, as on a CRT, in order to prevent fading.
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to read and write (the contents of dynamic storage) at intervals in order to avoid loss of data.
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verb (used without object)
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refreshes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
refreshed,
past participle, past
-
refreshing
present participle
-
to take refreshment, especially food or drink.
-
to become fresh or vigorous again; revive.
verb
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(usually tr or reflexive) to make or become fresh or vigorous, as through rest, drink, or food; revive or reinvigorate
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(tr) to enliven (something worn or faded), as by adding new decorations
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(tr) to stimulate (the memory)
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(tr) to replenish, as with new equipment or stores
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computing to display the latest updated version (of a web page or document); reload
Usage
What does refresh mean? To refresh is to reinvigorate, renew, or restore something to its original condition or a better state. In the context of technology, refresh most commonly means to reload a web page or app in order to access the most recent or updated version of a display or feed. Example: It’s amazing how much a hot shower can really refresh your spirit.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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refreshsimple
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refreshessimple
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have refreshedperfect
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has refreshedperfect
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am refreshingprogressive
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are refreshingprogressive
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is refreshingprogressive
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have been refreshingperfect progressive
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has been refreshingperfect progressive
Past
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refreshedsimple
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had refreshedperfect
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was refreshingprogressive
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were refreshingprogressive
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had been refreshingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of refresh
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English refreschen, from Middle French refreschir, Old French. See re-, fresh
Explanation
To refresh is to renew or revive — to make someone feel newly clean or invigorated. After a long, hot run, a glass of lemonade might refresh you. You might refresh yourself by taking a shower or a nap, and you can easily refresh your breath by brushing your teeth. When you refresh your memory, you stimulate it, or get it going: "I looked over my notes to refresh my memory before the quiz." On a computer, you can refresh a page by updating it. Refresh comes from the Old French refreschier, "refresh or renew."
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.
See Examples For:
However, economists at the WTO don’t believe the status quo can be sustained, and instead called for a concerted effort to repair and refresh the multilateral trade system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
While writing “East of the River,” she returned to the book to refresh her inspiration, and its impact is apparent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
The racks and the power are already there; what changes is what goes into them at the next refresh.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026
The EA said it understood that changes to transport arrangements can be unsettling and added that it sometimes needs to refresh contracts to ensure value for money.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
Some nights they crossed small streams, which gave them a chance to refresh themselves, quench their thirst, and soothe their aching feet.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
The company has benefited from investments in infrastructure to train cutting-edge AI models, strengthening networks and general equipment refreshes in American corporations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
“As the portfolio refreshes, that capital will start earning the current interest rate, and that is supplementing their growth,” Nygren says.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 5, 2026
The company’s enhanced marketing initiatives and franchise refreshes should help things improve, as well.
From Barron's ● Dec. 13, 2025
“Tesla’s refreshes are pretty modest, and they’re driven by improving profitability,” said Ed Niedermeyer, who has written a book about Tesla and is working on a follow-up.
From Slate ● Feb. 12, 2025
But Farmer likes being grounded in the kind of obscurity, away from the media and spotlight, that refreshes his passion and authority; doctoring to the poor is his ultimate source of power.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
“People want to look refreshed, but they want to look like an authentic version of themselves, and I think that’s where fat comes into play.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
“All feedback is being shared with our beverage team so they can continue to evaluate how this change is impacting customers who regularly enjoyed our Chai prior to the refreshed recipe,” Starbucks wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
The more frequently droplets appear and depart, the more often the surface is refreshed, allowing heat to move through it more efficiently.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026
It added it had recently refreshed its standards setting out how services should provide safe and effective care for those with communication needs.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
She awoke refreshed, and quite early, in time to get the very first cup of tea from the samovar in the common room.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
The models seemed to have genuine fun strutting through the Four Seasons Grill and it was refreshing for not being so self-serious.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
But this week, in a refreshing break with the past, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has started to release these documents on a universally available portal.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
You better believe I’m refreshing the airline’s app every hour in hopes a better seat opens up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
While some films’ merit is debatable, it’s refreshing regardless that the conversations around what qualifies as an “awards movie” are in flux.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026
He said it was great and really refreshing, and that it was just the kind of thing to promote team interface, and to get everyone to work out their stop/go hierarchies.
From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson
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.
