To refresh means to make something feel new, clean, or energetic again. When you refresh yourself on a hot day by splashing cold water on your face, you're bringing back that alert, comfortable feeling. When you refresh a webpage on your computer, you're loading it again to see if anything has changed.

The word captures that sense of renewal and restoration. A good night's sleep refreshes your mind and body for the next day. Taking a break during homework to walk around outside can refresh your concentration. A refreshing cold drink on a summer afternoon brings relief and brings energy back.

You might also refresh your memory about something you learned before but haven't thought about in a while. If your teacher asks you to refresh your understanding of fractions before starting a new unit, she wants you to review what you already know so it's clear and ready to use again.