freshening

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fresh•en /ˈfrɛʃən/   v. 

1. to (cause to) become or grow fresh or refreshed: [no object]
   Her interest in basketball freshened when she saw who was on the team.
   [~ + object]
   Freshen the air with flowers.
2. freshen up, to (cause to) become fresh in appearance: [no object]
   to freshen up with a bath.
   [~ + object + up]
   freshened herself up and joined the party.
   [~ + up + object]
   The housekeeper freshened up the room.

fresh•en•er, n. 

[countable] an air freshener.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fresh•en  (fresh′ən), v.t. 

1. to make fresh;
   refresh, revive, or renew:
   We need a good rain to freshen the flowers.
2. to remove saltiness from.
3. Nautical, Naval Terms to preserve (a rope in use) from prolonged friction or concentrated stress on any one part.

v.i. 

4. to become or grow fresh.
5. Animal Husbandry (of a cow)
   • to commence giving milk after calving.
   • to give birth.
6. freshen up, to make oneself feel freshly clean or neat, as by washing, changing clothes, etc.:
   to freshen up after a long trip.

• fresh + -en¹ 1690–1700

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

freshen / ˈfrɛʃən/ verb

1. to make or become fresh or fresher
2. (often followed by up) to refresh (oneself), esp by washing
3. (intransitive) (of the wind) to increase