refresh

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'refresh' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or feeling, such as a refreshment or a renewed energy or enthusiasm. For example: "After a cup of tea, I felt refreshed and ready to tackle the afternoon's tasks".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He agreed that retaining talent helps to attract talent, but added that it was important to "refresh" the organisation: "Loss of talent can be reinvigorating… it should be seen as a positive step".

The Guardian

Yet Johnson's ability to refresh the voters others cannot reach rests on a substantial amount of electoral sand.

The Guardian - Opinion

A second later, down the line, he heard the nurses asking: "Where?" It says much for Spall's bloody-minded longevity that I have to refresh my memory on all the roles he's embodied.

The Guardian - Film

A change in director and cast refresh meant that Dark Continent didn't automatically inherit the audience from the first film, but this is a disappointing result by any measure.

The Guardian - Film

iPhone / iPad The Snowman & The Snowdog 2014 (£2.99) This is an annual refresh to Channel 4's official The Snowman & The Snowdog game, although unlike in 2013, there are no in-app purchases this time round.

The Guardian - Tech

Resistance is futile: press the refresh button on your summer wardrobe now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As these chaotic bureaucratic and legal bungles further undermined any prospect of a fair trial, KSM took the opportunity to refresh his image.

The Guardian - Opinion

For me it's all about having a change of scenery regularly to refresh my mind – having offices across the globe means that I can visit for business and take some holiday time, too.

The Guardian

In addition to this new content, a design refresh across the Monday to Saturday newspapers will begin from Saturday 13 September.

The Guardian

How does Labor refresh purpose and demonstrate that is exactly what it is doing?

The Guardian

Like all good media tourists, I saw any and every break in play as an opportunity to refresh my Twitter timeline.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refresh" in technical contexts, specify what is being refreshed (e.g., "refresh the browser" or "refresh the data").

Common error

Avoid using "refresh" vaguely. Instead of saying "I need to refresh," specify what needs refreshing, such as "I need to refresh my memory" or "I need to refresh my understanding of the topic."

Linguistic Context

The term "refresh" primarily functions as a verb, denoting the act of renewing, revitalizing, or updating something. Ludwig highlights its use in various contexts, reflecting its versatility as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refresh" is a versatile verb used to describe renewing, revitalizing, or updating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify what exactly is being refreshed. For alternative expressions, consider using "revitalize", "update", or "renew", based on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revitalize

Focuses more on restoring vitality or vigor.

invigorate

Suggests filling something with energy or strength.

renew

Suggests restoring something to a former state or condition.

revive

Emphasizes bringing something back to life or consciousness.

rejuvenate

Implies making something feel or look younger or more energetic.

update

Specifically implies bringing something current or modern.

recharge

Focuses on restoring energy or power.

freshen

Implies making something feel new or clean.

restore

Highlights returning something to its original condition.

modernize

Specifically refers to making something more current with modern standards.

FAQs

How can I use "refresh" in a sentence?

You can use "refresh" to describe actions like "refresh your browser", or feelings like "refresh your mind". Context matters!

What are some alternatives to "refresh"?

Alternatives include "revitalize", "update", or "renew", each with slight differences in meaning.

Is it better to say "refresh" or "update" a software?

"Refresh" typically implies a minor update or a reload, while "update" suggests a more significant change or upgrade.

What does it mean to "refresh" a webpage?

To "refresh" a webpage means to reload it, ensuring you're seeing the most current version of the content.