verb (used with object)
- to make fresh; refresh, revive, or renew: We need a good rain to freshen the flowers.
- to remove saltiness from.
- Nautical. to preserve (a rope in use) from prolonged friction or concentrated stress on any one part.
verb (used without object)
- to become or grow fresh.
- (of a cow)
- to commence giving milk after calving.
- to give birth.
Verb Phrases
- freshen up, to make oneself feel freshly clean or neat, as by washing, changing clothes, etc.: to freshen up after a long trip.
verb
- to make or become fresh or fresher
- (often foll by up) to refresh (oneself), esp by washing
- (intr) (of the wind) to increase
- to lose or cause to lose saltiness
- (intr) mainly US
- (of farm animals) to give birth
- (of cows) to commence giving milk after calving
1690s, from fresh (adj.1) + -en (1). Related: Freshened; freshening. To freshen a drink, “top it off” is from 1961. The earlier verb was simply fresh (mid-14c.).