refresh
ree-FREHSH
Refresh (verb) means to make someone feel more energetic or awake, often with rest, food, or a drink. Example: “A quick shower refreshed her after the long flight.”
verb
1
To make someone feel more energetic or awake, often with rest, food, or a drink.
"A quick shower refreshed her after the long flight."
"They stopped for coffee to refresh themselves before the last leg of the drive."
"A cold glass of lemonade will refresh you on a hot afternoon."
2
To reload a webpage or app so it shows the latest content.
"He refreshed the page every few minutes waiting for the tickets to go on sale."
"Refresh your browser if the new comments aren't showing up."
"If the video freezes, just refresh the app and try again."
noun
1
The act of reloading a page or updating a display.
"A hard refresh clears the cache before reloading the page."
"Give the page a quick refresh and your new message should appear."
"The site needs a manual refresh whenever the scores change during the match."
How to use refresh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something fresh or up-to-date again — whether that's your energy levels or a webpage.
Memory tip
On a computer or phone, "refresh" almost always means reload the current screen.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
refresh the page
refresh your memory
feel refreshed
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Word forms
- Plural
- refreshes
- Third person singular
- refreshes
- Past tense
- refreshed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A quick shower _____ her after the long flight.
Etymology
From Old French refrescher, "to make fresh again," built from re- plus fresh.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “refresh” mean?
The word “refresh” means to make someone feel more energetic or awake, often with rest, food, or a drink. In plain terms, to make something fresh or up-to-date again — whether that's your energy levels or a webpage.
How do you pronounce “refresh”?
“Refresh” is pronounced ree-FREHSH (/ɹɪˈfɹɛʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “refresh” in a sentence?
Here is “refresh” used in a sentence: “A quick shower refreshed her after the long flight.”
What part of speech is “refresh”?
Depending on how it is used, “refresh” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “refresh” come from?
The word “refresh” comes from Old French. From Old French refrescher, "to make fresh again," built from re- plus fresh.
Is “refresh” a common word?
“Refresh” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “refresh” have?
“Refresh” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone feel more energetic or awake, often with rest, food, or a drink.
What is the difference between refresh and reload for a webpage?
Refresh and reload are used almost interchangeably to describe getting a webpage or app to show its latest content, and both trigger the browser to fetch the page again. Some browsers distinguish a "hard refresh," which clears cached files and forces a full reload from the server, from a normal refresh, which may still use some cached data. In everyday speech, the two terms are treated as synonyms.
What does it mean to refresh yourself after a long trip?
To refresh yourself means to restore your energy and alertness, often through rest, food, or a drink, after feeling tired or drained. It implies a return to feeling more awake and comfortable rather than a complete recovery.
Why does a page sometimes need a refresh to show new content?
A page may need a refresh because it displayed a saved or cached version of the content rather than pulling the newest data from the server. Refreshing forces the browser or app to check again and load any updates that have occurred since the page was last opened.
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