freshen
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make fresh; refresh, revive, or renew.
We need a good rain to freshen the flowers.
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to remove saltiness from.
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Nautical. to preserve (a rope in use) from prolonged friction or concentrated stress on any one part.
verb (used without object)
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to become or grow fresh.
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(of a cow)
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to commence giving milk after calving.
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to give birth.
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verb phrase
verb
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to make or become fresh or fresher
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(often foll by up) to refresh (oneself), esp by washing
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(intr) (of the wind) to increase
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to lose or cause to lose saltiness
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(intr)
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(of farm animals) to give birth
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(of cows) to commence giving milk after calving
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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freshensimple
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freshenssimple
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have freshenedperfect
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has freshenedperfect
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am fresheningprogressive
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are fresheningprogressive
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is fresheningprogressive
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have been fresheningperfect progressive
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has been fresheningperfect progressive
Past
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freshenedsimple
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had freshenedperfect
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was fresheningprogressive
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were fresheningprogressive
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had been fresheningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of freshen
Explanation
When you make something feel cleaner or newer, you freshen it. If your grandmother says she's going to freshen her makeup, she might apply some lipstick and powder her nose. There are many ways to freshen, depending on what needs to be made fresh. You can freshen the air in your house by opening all the windows, or freshen up your friend's drink by pouring more lemonade in her glass. A company may decide to freshen their brand's image after a scandal, and you might freshen your breath by swishing a little mouthwash. Back in the 1600s, this verb meant "make stronger."
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:
Over time, I plan to freshen up the Vibe and give it some much-needed love.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
"I had to get an extra Saturday job to be able to afford to freshen up my home."
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
Next up: a spa-wide renovation to freshen up existing areas.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026
When I’m ready to freshen up my fridge, I tend to work up a loose step ladder depending on my energy and the kind of week I’m having.
From Salon ● Mar. 9, 2026
"I am going to freshen up," Didu says, picking up the tea tray.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
I find they sometimes pick up odors, but a thorough wash in cool water and mild soap, followed by a thorough air dry freshens them.
From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2023
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro freshens the soup, and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses adds a tart sweetness that balances the richness of the meat.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 28, 2023
But it freshens their team up and they don't have anything to worry about squad-wise.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2022
Workers get no views, but the ceilings are high, the indirect light is ample, and a plant-filled green wall freshens the air.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2017
I have been green, too, Miss Eyre,—ay, grass green: not a more vernal tint freshens you now than once freshened me.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Guardiola freshened up the squad last summer by off-loading experienced stars including Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker and Ederson.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2026
The third channel promises to be a mixed bag of the freshened and familiar, today’s icons and tomorrow’s sentimental favorites, with the mix heavily tilted toward combustion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025
This influx of freshwater freshened the surface ocean, strengthening vertical stratification and preventing cold surface water from mixing downward.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2025
Block has freshened up its product offerings enough to drive its best growth in over two years on a key metric, but that wasn’t enough to lift its stock in Thursday’s extended session.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2025
The wind freshened astern, and the ships ran before the wind on paths of the deep sea fish, making Geraistos before dawn.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
The result is the cooling and freshening that researchers observe south of Greenland.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 7, 2025
That could mean freshening up your decorating or perhaps tackling a larger project like redoing a bathroom or kitchen.
From Slate ● May 6, 2024
Like the bees progressing from bud to bud and the extra zippy birds darting through the trees, I too go busily about with my own spring rituals of freshening things up and airing things out.
From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2024
Ahead of opening the envelope to read Theron’s name, Brody pulled out a breath freshening spray and gave himself a couple of spritzes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2024
He walked across the land until he caught the taste of the sea, carried across the flat, marshy fields on a freshening breeze.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
