fresh

1 of 3

adjective

ˈfresh 

1

a

: having its original qualities unimpaired: such as

(1)

: full of or renewed in vigor : refreshed

rose fresh from a good night's sleep

(2)

: not stale, sour, or decayed

fresh bread

(3)

: not faded

lessons fresh in her memory

(4)

: not worn or rumpled

a fresh white shirt

b

: not altered by processing

fresh vegetables

2

a

: not salt

fresh water

b(1)

: free from taint : pure

fresh air

(2)

of wind : moderately strong

a fresh breeze

3

a(1)

: experienced, made, or received newly or anew

form fresh friendships

(2)

: additional, another

a fresh start

b

: original, vivid

a fresh portrayal

c

: lacking experience : raw

coming fresh to the job

—Helen Howe

d

: just come or arrived

fresh from school

e

: having the milk flow recently established

a fresh cow

4

[probably by folk etymology from German frech] : disposed to take liberties : impudent

don't get fresh with me

5

slang : fashionable, cool

freshly adverb

freshness noun

fresh

2 of 3

adverb

: just recently : newly

we're fresh out of eggs

fresh

3 of 3

noun

1

: an increased flow or rush (as of water) : freshet

2

archaic : a stream, spring, or pool of fresh water

Synonyms

Adjective

• brand-new
• mint
• pristine
• span-new
• virgin
• virginal

Choose the Right Synonym for fresh

new, novel, original, fresh mean having recently come into existence or use.

new may apply to what is freshly made and unused

new brick

or has not been known before

new designs

or not experienced before.

starts the new job

novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

Examples of fresh in a Sentence

Adjective

You can use either fresh or dried basil for this recipe.

The meat was kept fresh in the refrigerator.

a bouquet of fresh flowers

He changed into a fresh shirt.

She brought a fresh change of clothes.

She rose fresh from a good night's sleep.

Adverb

This bread was baked fresh.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the attack called fresh attention to deepening frustrations over health coverage. —Stephanie Kelly and Julie Steenhuysen, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

It’s used to highlight fresh cracks and deep rifts alike in pop culture, tech trends and other industries. —Anna Furman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Adverb

On the opposite end of the spectrum, 2024 graduate Aaliyah Edwards will be back at Gampel Pavilion fresh off of her rookie WNBA season with the Washington Mystics. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024

This keeps pumpkins fresh much longer and ensures that deer won’t be able to get to them. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Noun

Maintenance can also be time- and budget-intensive to keep the foxy-red color fresh. —Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 28 Sep. 2024

Paper towels are the secret weapon to keeping produce fresh So don’t be ashamed of paper towel use. —Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French fresch, freis, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German frisc fresh; akin to Old English fersc fresh

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing fresh

• breath of fresh air
• fresh as a daisy
• fresh blood
• fresh breeze
• fresh-faced
• fresh gale
• fresh in one's mind
• fresh/just off the boat
• fresh out
• fresh out of/from
• fresh water
• make a fresh/new start

Kids Definition

fresh

adjective

ˈfresh

1

a

: not frozen, canned, or pickled

fresh fish

fresh vegetables

b

: not stale, sour, or spoiled

fresh bread

c

: not worn, dirty, or wrinkled

a fresh shirt

2

a

: not salt

fresh water

b

: pure entry 1 sense 1, invigorating

fresh air

c

: fairly strong : brisk

fresh breeze

3

a

: newly made or received

a fresh wound

b

: new entry 1 sense 6

make a fresh start

c

: remaining clear or vivid

fresh in my mind

4

: behaving or talking in a rude or disrespectful way

don't get fresh with me

freshly adverb

freshness noun

Legal Definition

fresh

adjective

1

a

: free of the detrimental effects of delay (as the fading of memories)

b

: characterized by promptness

2

: experienced, made, or received newly or anew

a resumed interrogation requiring fresh Miranda warnings