1 A2 neutral
To quickly wash your face, fix your hair, or neaten your appearance before an event or after a journey.
"We arrived at the hotel an hour before dinner so we could freshen up."
inseparable
freshen up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To quickly wash and make yourself or something look and feel cleaner and more presentable.
In plain English
To wash your face, fix your hair, or tidy yourself up quickly so you look and feel better.
What does "freshen up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To make a drink stronger or fuller by adding more of it; to top up a drink.
"Can I freshen up your coffee, or would you prefer tea?"
separable
3 B1 neutral
To make a room, design, or space feel cleaner, brighter, or more pleasant.
"A coat of white paint really freshened up the living room."
separable
Usage tip
Widely used in everyday social contexts. Often used reflexively ('freshen myself up'). Also used for rooms, drinks, and presentations. A polite, gentle expression. Common in both American and British English.
Words that pair with "freshen up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bathroom drink makeup room appearance guests
How to conjugate "freshen up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
freshen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
freshens up
he/she/it
Past simple
freshened up
yesterday
Past participle
freshened up
have + pp
-ing form
freshening up
continuous
Hear "freshen up" in the wild
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