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.
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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:
Maye’s stat page felt like a refresh: 226 yards passing, two touchdown passes, 54 yards rushing, key plays late, and a splash of that 2025 Drake Maye swagger.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 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
“We are in the midst of a traditional server refresh cycle, despite significantly higher prices,” Morgan Stanley put as its third factor.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 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
Gloria would make me a peanut-butter sandwich straight off and then she would pour me a cup of coffee with half coffee and half milk and that would refresh me.
From "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo
Since the pandemic, wardrobe refreshes have skewed more formal.
From MarketWatch ● May 31, 2026
Overall, "this will result, between now and 2030, in more than 60 new vehicle launches and 50 significant refreshes, across all brands and powertrain energies".
From Barron's ● May 21, 2026
Management also said the company’s ‘XEV 9S’ electric sport utility vehicle is adding new customers in India’s North, while two model refreshes for SUVs and light commercial vehicles are planned for this year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
“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
Built in 1976, the interior and exterior of the two-story home were lovingly refreshed to reflect Keaton’s signature modern black-and-white aesthetic.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
"Our findings suggest that repeated use of Hinoki root essential oil at home may support sleep initiation, sleep continuity, and feeling refreshed in the morning."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
There, Hyundai Motor 005380 -0.72%decrease; down pointing triangle celebrated the reveal of its newest Tucson sport-utility vehicle, one of more than 100 new or refreshed vehicles it has planned globally by 2030.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
It was the first trophy of his career, and Trippier returned to the Premier League after his Spanish sabbatical renewed, refreshed and ready to enjoy a successful spell at Newcastle.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
But there was also a party to plan, which meant the grand ballroom had to be refreshed and prepared as well, not to mention an extra cleaning for the other rooms of the first floor.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
“So many people aren’t aware of anything outside of themselves, and so it was really refreshing and took me back to how a lot of house music used to be,” Savage says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Kang noted the influence of South Korean dramas smuggled in on USB drives, finding them "so refreshing and more credible than North Korea state propaganda".
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
It also suggested refreshing leadership and evaluating a potential sale.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
Enter the Goo Man, founder of Incredible Meat, whose sales pitch has the refreshing candor of someone who knows exactly what business he is in.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
For the truth was, it was extremely refreshing to be out in the summerhouse after many continuous days in the main building and neither of us was inclined to hurry with our tasks.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
