re·fresh·ing / riˈfreshing/ • adj. serving to refresh or reinvigorate someone: a refreshing drink the morning air was so refreshing. ∎  welcome or stimulating because new or different: it makes a refreshing change to able to write about something nice her directness is refreshing.DERIVATIVES: re·fresh·ing·ly adv. a refreshingly different concept | refreshingly, the current spokesman is very frank.

refreshing A process used by cooks when preparing vegetables. After the vegetables have been cooked, cold water is poured over them to preserve the colour; they are then reheated before serving.