Word
refrigerate
Phoneticsre·frig·er·ate, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈfɹɪdʒɝˌeɪt/
UK/ɹɪfɹˈɪdʒəɹˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to keep food or drink cold by putting it in a refrigerator so it stays fresh.
v. to subject food, drink, or biological samples to cold temperatures for preservation. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Examples
“You should refrigerate the milk after you open it.”
“The instructions on the bottle clearly state that you must refrigerate the medicine after opening to maintain its effectiveness.”
“While some vegetables thrive at room temperature, leafy greens and dairy products require constant cooling, so it is essential to refrigerate them immediately after purchase.”
Examples
simple
“You should refrigerate the milk after you open it.”
contextual
“The instructions on the bottle clearly state that you must refrigerate the medicine after opening to maintain its effectiveness.”
complex
“While some vegetables thrive at room temperature, leafy greens and dairy products require constant cooling, so it is essential to refrigerate them immediately after purchase.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “refrigerate” in context.
Verb
01. immediately refrigerate
“You should immediately refrigerate the milk after you finish using it.”
adv + verb
02. promptly refrigerate
“Promptly refrigerate any leftovers to prevent bacteria from growing.”
adv + verb
Noun
03. refrigerate after opening
“The label on the juice bottle says to refrigerate after opening.”
verb + prep + noun
04. refrigerate dough
“Refrigerate the dough for at least thirty minutes before rolling it out.”
verb + noun
05. refrigerate leftovers
“Make sure to refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking.”
verb + noun
06. refrigerate sample
“The lab technician must refrigerate the sample to maintain its integrity.”
verb + noun
07. keep refrigerated
“This product is highly perishable and must be kept refrigerated at all times.”
08. refrigerate for up to
“You can refrigerate the sauce for up to three days in an airtight container.”
09. refrigerate until ready to serve
“Cover the salad and refrigerate until ready to serve.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Pitfall
refrigerate for two hours
refrigerate it for two hours
Refrigerate is a transitive verb and requires an object (like 'it' or the name of the food) before the time phrase.
Real-World Examples
“If you've neglected to properly refrigerate something, it's usually best to throw it out.” “You keep mustard in the fridge, but your partner (or roommate or dad) balks at the idea. Who’s right? The fine print on the bottle, on nearly all of the bottles — “refrigerate after opening” — isn’t much help.” “Experts agree that the safest way to refrigerate hot food is to divide it into smaller portions that will cool down fast.” “Bananas? They may not be chilled in the grocery store, but they’re the ultimate refrigerated fruit.” Etymology
From participle stem of Latin refrigerō (“to make cold”), from re- + frigerō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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