freshen

verb

fresh·​en ˈfre-shən 

freshened; freshening ˈfre-sh(ə-)niŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to grow or become fresh: such as

a

of wind : to increase in strength

b

: to become fresh in appearance or vitality

—usually used with up

freshen up with a shower

2

of a milk animal : to begin lactating

transitive verb

: to make fresh

also : refresh, revive

freshener

ˈfre-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

Synonyms

• recharge
• recreate
• refresh
• refreshen
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• renew
• repair
• restore
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify

Examples of freshen in a Sentence

a mint that freshens the breath

Can I freshen your drink?

Recent Examples on the Web

There probably needs to be a clear out to freshen things up for both the players and the club. —Sam Lee, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025

Once in the water, the blossoms — dormant now for two weeks — began to freshen. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Based on the colorful advertising depicting smiling babies and their mothers, parents may have actually believed Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup could calm their children, freshen their breath and relieve their constipation. —Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

Switching roles to freshen things on the first and third line may be an option for the coaching staff if a losing streak sets in. —Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing freshen

• freshen up

Rhymes for freshen

• cession
• hessian
• pression
• session
• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion

Kids Definition

freshen

verb

fresh·​en ˈfresh-ən 

freshened; freshening -(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to make or become fresh : refresh

freshen up with a shower

2

: to become brisk or strong

the wind freshened

3

: to brighten in appearance

freshen up a room with some color

freshener

-(ə-)nər 

noun

Medical Definition

freshen

transitive verb

fresh·​en ˈfresh-ən 

freshened; freshening ˈfresh-(ə-)niŋ 

of a milk animal

: to begin lactating