verb
freshen
FREH-shuhn
Freshen (verb) means to make something fresh, clean, or lively again. Example: “She freshened the room with a vase of flowers.”
verb
1
To make something fresh, clean, or lively again.
"She freshened the room with a vase of flowers."
"A splash of cold water freshened him up before the interview."
2
Of wind, to become stronger.
"The wind freshened as the storm approached."
How to use freshen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something (or yourself) feel new, clean, or more lively again.
Common pairings
freshen up
freshen the air
wind freshens
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- freshens
- Past tense
- freshened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the room with a vase of flowers.
Etymology
Formed from fresh plus the verb-forming suffix -en, meaning "to make."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “freshen” mean?
The word “freshen” means to make something fresh, clean, or lively again. In plain terms, to make something (or yourself) feel new, clean, or more lively again.
How do you pronounce “freshen”?
“Freshen” is pronounced FREH-shuhn (/ˈfɹɛʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “freshen” in a sentence?
Here is “freshen” used in a sentence: “She freshened the room with a vase of flowers.”
What part of speech is “freshen”?
“Freshen” is a verb.
How many meanings does “freshen” have?
“Freshen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something fresh, clean, or lively again.
