refreshment

/rɪˈfreʃmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈfreʃmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈfresh-mənt/ (ame, mw)

refreshment — noun

  • refreshmentsingular
  • refreshmentsplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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.

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

light refreshments

refreshments + passive: be served/offered

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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.

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

refreshment of [body/mind/spirit]

for refreshment

find/seek refreshment

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

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