freshen

[ fresh-uhn ]
See synonyms for: freshenfreshening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to make fresh; refresh, revive, or renew: We need a good rain to freshen the flowers.

  2. to remove saltiness from.

  1. Nautical. to preserve (a rope in use) from prolonged friction or concentrated stress on any one part.

verb (used without object)
  1. to become or grow fresh.

  2. (of a cow)

    • to commence giving milk after calving.

    • to give birth.

Verb Phrases
  1. freshen up, to make oneself feel freshly clean or neat, as by washing, changing clothes, etc.: to freshen up after a long trip.

Origin of freshen

1
First recorded in 1690–1700; fresh + -en1

Words Nearby freshen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use freshen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for freshen

freshen

/ (ˈfrɛʃən) /


verb
  1. to make or become fresh or fresher

  2. (often foll by up) to refresh (oneself), esp by washing

  1. (intr) (of the wind) to increase

  2. to lose or cause to lose saltiness

  3. (intr) mainly US

    • (of farm animals) to give birth

    • (of cows) to commence giving milk after calving

Derived forms of freshen

  • freshener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012