refreshment

refreshment — noun

1. Drinks and light foods such as coffee, pastries, or sandwiches that are provided

1.nounB1
Definition

Drinks and light foods such as coffee, pastries, or sandwiches that are provided to people at meetings, events, or public venues — for example, hot tea and biscuits offered during a conference break, or bottled water and fruit sold at a museum shop.

Example

Light refreshments were served in the lobby after the seminar ended.

passive: refreshments were served

Sana bought some refreshments from the station café before catching her train.

Common collocations
  • light refreshments
  • complimentary refreshments
  • free refreshments
  • provide refreshments
  • serve refreshments
  • offer refreshments
  • buy refreshments
  • enjoy refreshments
Synonyms
  • snacks

    focuses on small food items, less likely to include drinks

  • beverages

    covers drinks only, not food

  • light meal

    larger portion than refreshments, often eaten as a full occasion

  • treats

    implies something special or indulgent, more informal

Grammar Patterns

light refreshments

refreshments + passive: be served/offered

Usage Note

In everyday use, this sense usually appears in the plural form 'refreshments' when it refers to the food and drink items themselves. The singular form 'refreshment' is reserved for sense 2 (the abstract restoration of energy).

Common Mistakes

I bought a refreshment from the shop.
I bought some refreshments from the shop.
When referring to food and drink items, use the plural form 'refreshments'.
The party had many refreshment.
The party had many refreshments.
'Refreshment' as a countable noun almost always appears in the plural.

2. The act or process of becoming stronger, less tired, or more lively after rest,

2.nounB2
Definition

The act or process of becoming stronger, less tired, or more lively after rest, food, or a break — for example, the feeling of waking up after a long sleep, or the boost of energy a short walk gives you in the middle of a work day.

Example

A cool shower after the run gave Cyrus a deep feeling of refreshment.

collocation: a feeling of refreshment

Xiu sought refreshment in a quiet corner of the library during lunch.

collocation: seek refreshment

Common collocations
  • feel refreshment
  • a feeling of refreshment
  • for refreshment
  • seek refreshment
  • find refreshment
  • need refreshment
  • refreshment of mind
  • refreshment of body
  • instant refreshment
  • welcome refreshment
Synonyms
  • renewal

    emphasises starting again with fresh energy, more formal

  • revival

    suggests a stronger comeback from exhaustion or inactivity

  • reinvigoration

    more intense and formal, often physical

  • rest

    focuses on stopping activity, not necessarily feeling energised afterwards

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

refreshment of [body/mind/spirit]

for refreshment

find/seek refreshment

Usage Note

Frequently used with possessive structures ('the refreshment of...') or after prepositions like 'for' and 'of'. Unlike sense 1, this sense is always singular and uncountable.

Common Mistakes

I need some refreshments.' (meaning a rest)
I need some refreshment.
When referring to the feeling of being restored, use the singular, uncountable form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to food, but they differ in scope and setting. 'Refreshments' covers both food and drink and is commonly used at meetings, conferences, and public events — it has a slightly formal, hospitality-oriented tone. 'Snacks' refers to small, informal food items like chips, nuts, or fruit, and usually excludes drinks. 'Beverages' is a broader term for drinks only (hot or cold) and never includes food. 'Appetizers' are small dishes served before a main meal in a restaurant or dinner setting, making them more specific to mealtime contexts. 'Treats' suggests something indulgent or special — dessert, chocolate, or a favourite food — and carries an emotional tone of pleasure. For example: 'Light refreshments will follow the keynote speech.' vs 'The kids ate snacks while watching a movie.' vs 'We ordered appetizers while waiting for our table.'

snacksbeveragesappetizerstreats

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • light refreshments
  • complimentary refreshments
  • refreshments will be served
  • a feeling of refreshment

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Refreshment is formed from the verb 'refresh' (meaning 'to make fresh or new again') plus the suffix '-ment', which creates nouns indicating a result, state, or action. 'Refresh' entered English around the 1300s from Old French 'refreschir' – from 're-' ('again') plus 'fresche' ('fresh'). The word first referred to the act of making something fresh (sense 2), and later came to refer to the food and drink that produce that effect (sense 1).