refreshing

UK: /rɪˈfrɛʃɪŋ/ US: /rɪˈfrɛʃɪŋ/ ,(ri fresh′ing)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•fresh•ing /rɪˈfrɛʃɪŋ/  adj. 

1. bringing a feeling of refreshment:
   a refreshing dip in the pool.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•fresh•ing  (ri fresh′ing), adj. 

1. having the power to restore freshness, vitality, energy, etc.:
   a refreshing nap.
2. pleasingly fresh or different:
   a refreshing lack of pretense.

• refresh + -ing² 1570–80

re•fresh′ing•ly, adv. 
re•fresh′ing•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

refreshing / rɪˈfrɛʃɪŋ/ adjective

1. able to or tending to refresh; invigorating
2. pleasantly different or novel

reˈfreshingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•fresh /rɪˈfrɛʃ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to provide new vigor and energy by rest, food, etc.:
   a quick dip in the pool will refresh them.
2. to stimulate:
   Let me refresh your memory.

re•fresh•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•fresh  (ri fresh′), v.t. 

1. to provide new vigor and energy by rest, food, etc. (often used reflexively).
2. to stimulate (the memory).
3. to make fresh again;
   reinvigorate or cheer (a person, the mind, spirits, etc.).
4. to freshen in appearance, color, etc., as by a restorative.
5. Computing
   • to display (an image) repeatedly, as on a CRT, in order to prevent fading.
   • to read and write (the contents of dynamic storage) at intervals in order to avoid loss of data.

v.i. 

6. to take refreshment, esp. food or drink.
7. to become fresh or vigorous again;
   revive.

• Middle French refreschir, Old French. See re-, fresh
• Middle English refreschen 1325–75

re•fresh′ful, adj. 
re•fresh′ful•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. revive.
• 3. freshen, enliven, reanimate.
• 4. restore, repair, renovate, renew, retouch.

Antonyms

• 3. dispirit, discourage.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

refresh / rɪˈfrɛʃ/ verb

1. (usually tr or reflexive) to make or become fresh or vigorous, as through rest, drink, or food; revive or reinvigorate
2. (transitive) to enliven (something worn or faded), as by adding new decorations
3. (transitive) to stimulate (the memory)
4. (transitive) to replenish, as with new equipment or stores
5. to display the latest updated version (of a web page or document); reload

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French refreschir; see re-, fresh