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:
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
After giving a number of key players some form of a rest in the 3-2 win against Qarabag on Tuesday, Howe made six changes to freshen up his side.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
Other costs like hiring a painter to freshen up the kitchen or fixing the shower head would be under your purview.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 20, 2026
But we'd been awake so long, we decided it was better to rest, change clothes, and freshen up.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
"It's like a new team coming together. When you get new coaching staff and different ideas, it feels like everyone freshens up and starts from scratch," he said.
From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2026
All are presented in a way that freshens even what you know, or think you do.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2025
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
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
It’s been tweaked and freshened up a few times since, and became a signature of the brand’s first forays into ready-to-wear apparel under the guidance of Marc Jacobs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026
Chang’s, overhauled Red Lobster’s menu, introduced a happy hour and freshened up the marketing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 10, 2026
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 clouds were strange shapes now and tinged with copper; the wind freshened.
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
"There will be a natural freshening up of the club in terms of the playing squad," Rowett said.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026
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
There was seldom any danger of my raising the bar, but at the Hearthside Annette once upbraided me for freshening up the display desserts: “They’ll expect us all to start doing that!”
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
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.
