refresh
Americanverb (used with object)
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refreshes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
refreshed,
past participle, past
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refreshing
present participle
-
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)
-
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:
The refresh, according to Global Managing Partner Alan Mason, reflects the firm’s “ambition to remain at the forefront of law, adapt to changing client needs and help shape the future of legal services.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
He added: "We need to be ready here and we need to refresh those drills and be ready to act on them should any of those threats actually become a reality for us."
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 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
“Maybe a swim in the river will refresh your memory.”
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
As part of the model refreshes, it will launch an updated small van, renew a compact van, and introduce two new battery-electric powertrains across the lineup.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 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
I know that she likes to hear men boasting, it refreshes them so much.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
"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
Lower prices have been working, he said, adding that new products and refreshed styles and displays — part of Target’s plans to revive sales — are the right formula to regain relevance.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
It may have been the missing ingredient as Chelsea look revitalised and refreshed.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
I stopped in the middle of this hurrying day to remember him like that, and then, feeling refreshed, I went on to the Crew House beside the tidewater river below the dam.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
He tells BBC Newsbeat that having a proper schedule and remembering to stay hydrated makes a "refreshing change" from filming the Netflix smash-hit that made him famous.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
So the slow pace and cautious driving was refreshing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 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’s also a refreshing narrative. It’s, like, oh, you walk into somebody’s house, ‘Wow, that’s a nice Monet.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
The thought of Papá had made us all gloomy again despite the refreshing showers.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
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