refill

refill — noun

1. a product or amount of a substance that you buy to fill a container that previou

1.nounB1
Definition

a product or amount of a substance that you buy to fill a container that previously held the same thing and is now empty or nearly empty.

Example

Greta asked the barista for a refill of her iced latte.

ask for + refill (countable noun)

Asher picked up a prescription refill from the pharmacy on his way home.

prescription refill (common medical collocation)

Common collocations
  • ask for a refill
  • get a refill
  • free refill
  • prescription refill
  • refill pack
  • refill pouch
  • refill cartridge
Synonyms
  • replacement

    more general — any item that takes the place of another, not just for refilling containers

  • top-up

    British English, especially for drinks or mobile phone credit

  • replenishment

    formal; used in inventory or supply-chain contexts

Grammar Patterns

a refill

a refill of + [substance]

ask for a refill

give someone a refill

Usage Note

Commonly used for drinks (coffee, soda), stationery (pens), household products (soap dispensers), and medication prescriptions. Typically countable: 'a refill', 'two refills'.

Common Mistakes

I need to refill my prescription again.
I need a refill for my prescription.
For medication, the noun form is more natural than the verb when referring to the prescription itself as an item to be collected.

refill — verb

Word family

  • refillable
    adjectiveB2
  • refilling
    nounB2
  • refilled
    adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe putting more of something into a container, but they differ in formality, region, and the state of the container. 'Refill' is the most straightforward everyday word — you refill something that was full before and has become empty or nearly empty ('refill a water bottle'). 'Replenish' is more formal and often used for larger-scale supplies ('replenish the warehouse stock'). 'Top up' is informal British English and typically describes adding to something that is still partly full ('top up your tea'). 'Fill up' emphasises reaching maximum capacity and doesn't imply the container was previously full at all ('fill up the car with petrol before the trip'). For learners, 'refill' is the safest choice for everyday situations where a container is being returned to its former full state.

refill ↗replenish ↗top upfill up ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • refill a glass / cup / bottle
  • refill a tank / reservoir
  • refill a cartridge / dispenser
  • refill a prescription

Adverbs

  • completely refill
  • quickly refill
  • refill automatically

Phrases

  • refill someone's glass
  • refill a container with [substance]
  • refill the water cooler

Prepositions

  • refill with
  • refill for [someone]

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

A combination of the prefix 're-' (from Latin, meaning 'again' or 'back') and the verb 'fill' (from Old English 'fyllan', meaning 'to make full'). The verb 'refill' first appeared in the early 1600s. The noun form emerged in the late 1800s alongside commercial products sold in refillable packaging — such as ink cartridges and soap dispensers — creating a distinct word for the replacement product itself rather than the action.