Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

refresher

American  
[ri-fresh-er] / rɪˈfrɛʃ ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that refreshes.

  2. British. a partial or interim fee paid to a lawyer during a prolonged case.

  3. refresher course.


refresher British  
/ rɪˈfrɛʃə /

noun

  1. something that refreshes, such as a cold drink

  2. English law a fee, additional to that marked on the brief, paid to counsel in a case that lasts more than a day

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of refresher

First recorded in 1375–1425, refresher is from the late Middle English word refressher. See refresh, -er 1

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.

The film is both a primer on the form and a refresher for the initiated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

It added it has "extensive safeguarding practices and training requirements in place", and it has "brought forward several internal safeguarding audits and refresher trainings to ensure staff are fully aware of their obligations".

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Bern estimated it would double the cost of Switzerland's current militia system, which sees army conscripts do at least four months' service before being called up repeatedly over a decade for weeks-long refresher sessions.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

It’s been so long since the last season ended in 2022, you may need a refresher.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

I hadn’t read any Dzongkha since my freshman year, so I needed a refresher, and I wanted to see a map of Bhutan’s cities, too.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson