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Glite Dictionary
to freshen

to freshen

70 2.7
Make something or yourself smell and feel clean
  • verb
  • /ˈfrɛʃən/
translation icon : refrescar
  • I'm sure he'll feel a lot better once he's had a chance to freshen up.
  • freshen the edges

So I like to get up, freshen up, have a good breakfast.

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Examples

  • I like to freshen up with a quick shower after my workout.

  • Here, let me freshen that up for you.

    He Got Game (1998)

  • And this really does help to freshen the whole face.

  • You can offer to freshen a drink, say it means to make it fresh, right?

  • So I like to get up, freshen up, have a good breakfast.

    Anything Goes With James English

  • Would you like to freshen up?

    A Few Best Men (2011)

  • I really should freshen up, though.

    Melinda and Melinda (2004)

  • - Well, any case you have a bathroom or something, where I can freshen up?

    A Patriot's Day (2021)

  • She'd go to her hotel, freshen up after the flight, and be back just in time for the reception.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Why don't we go upstairs, freshen up, and then rendezvous for lunch?

    The Parent Trap (1998)

Synonyms

to clean up
vsto freshen
86 2.0

To wash and make yourself look neat

is also used for objects and spaces, not only personal grooming
to refresh
vsto freshen
50 2.8

Make someone or something feel full of energy and less tired

is more about basic cleaning or small improvement rather than deep change
to revitalize
vsto freshen
  • US
45 4.8

To give new life and energy to something

is less strong, focusing on small cleanliness or appearance improvements
to freshen up
vsto freshen
  • Informal
43 3.4

Wash or tidy yourself to feel cleaner and look better

applies more widely to objects and spaces, not only personal grooming
to rejuvenate
vsto freshen
24 5.5

Make a person or thing look and feel younger

is more about simple cleanliness or slight improvement rather than youth restoration
to reinvigorate
vsto freshen
19 5.7

To give new energy and interest to a person or thing

is gentler, referring mainly to making things look or feel cleaner
to spruce up
vsto freshen
  • Informal
13 3.8

To make yourself or a place look cleaner and nicer

often means simple cleaning or minor tidying rather than focused appearance work
to air out
vsto freshen
8 3.0

Open something so wind from outside moves through it to remove bad smells or moisture

is broader, including washing and small cosmetic improvements as well
to recreate
vsto freshen
8 5.3

To make someone or something feel fresh and full of energy

is milder, used for minor cleanliness or light renewal
to reenergize
vsto freshen
  • US
3 4.1

To give new energy and enthusiasm to a person or thing

leans more toward simple cleanliness or small cosmetic improvement
to revivify
vsto freshen
  • Formal
1 8.5

To give new life and energy to people or things

is softer, used for light cleaning or small refreshment tasks
to refreshen
vsto freshen
  • Archaic
4.3

To make something feel new and alive again

focuses on ordinary cleaning or small refreshment rather than strong revival
to reinfuse
vsto freshen
6.5

To make people or things feel more energetic again

is narrower, focusing on surface cleanliness and small perceptible change
to freshen the air
vsto freshen
3.4

Make the air in a room smell cleaner or nicer

covers general cleaning or tidying, not only improving air quality

Phrasal Verbs

to freshen up
  • Informal
43 3.4

Wash or tidy yourself to feel cleaner and look better

to freshen up
  • Informal
4 3.0

Make a room look cleaner and nicer with small changes

to freshen the air
3.4

Make the air in a room smell cleaner or nicer

How Refreshed

to revive
71 4.1
to refresh
50 2.8
to freshen
70 2.7
to clean
∞ 1.0
to wipe
531 1.0

Surface Forms

freshen infinitive
freshened past
freshened past participle
freshening present participle
freshens third person singular

Morphology

freshen = fresh (transparent) = fresh + en

Derived by the productive English verb-forming suffix '-en' added to the adjective 'fresh', meaning 'make or become fresh'.

Etymology

Freshen comes from the word fresh, which means 'new' or 'not rotten', and the ending -en means 'make', like in harden or brighten. So to freshen is to 'make fresh', which is why you freshen your face, a room, or food when you want them cleaner or newer.