Word
afresh
US/əˈfɹɛʃ/
UK/ɐfɹˈɛʃ/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. starting something again from the very beginning. You use this when you want to forget the past and begin a new process.
adv. starting again from the beginning; anew. Often used to describe a process that is being restarted with a clean slate or without previous bias.
Examples
“We need to look at the problem afresh.”
“After the failed merger, the company decided to approach the project afresh with a new team.”
“The committee agreed to review the evidence afresh, ensuring that no prior assumptions influenced the final verdict of the inquiry.”
Examples
simple
“We need to look at the problem afresh.”
contextual
“After the failed merger, the company decided to approach the project afresh with a new team.”
complex
“The committee agreed to review the evidence afresh, ensuring that no prior assumptions influenced the final verdict of the inquiry.”
Real-World Examples
“The state government agreed to scrap three exams , which will be held afresh.” “I often feel as if I am starting every day afresh, like a newborn babe.” “But the visitor experience is smoother than before, and the work allows the Sainsbury Wing’s strengths to shine afresh.” Etymology
From Middle English a-fresche, equivalent to a- + fresh. Compare Old English afersċean (“to freshen; become fresh”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/afresh