WordGarden.iorefill
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /riːfˈɪl/
US
- /ˈrifɪl/
Meanings
Verb
to fill something again after it has been used or emptied
Noun
an additional serving of a drink or other item, especially at a restaurant
a replacement amount, packet, or cartridge used to replenish something
a renewed supply of prescribed medicine
Beyond the definition
Imagine your favorite mug is empty after a cozy morning of tea. To refill it means to pour more liquid in, bringing it back to its full, comforting state. But "refill" isn't just about drinks. It can mean adding more of something that has been used up. A gas station attendant might refill your car's tank with gasoline, and a pharmacist refills your prescription when you're running low on medication. You can even refill your energy by taking a nap.
Think of it like starting with an empty container and bringing it back to fullness. If someone asks if you want them to refill your glass, they're offering to fill it again. It's all about restoring something to its original level.
To refill something means to fill it again after it has been used or emptied. It implies restoring a supply, bringing something back to a desired level or amount. While often associated with liquids, like refilling a glass of water ("Could you refill my glass, please?") or a car's gas tank ("I need to refill the tank"), the concept extends far beyond just fluids.
You might refill a prescription at the pharmacy when your medication is running low, meaning you get another supply. A printer that's out of ink may need an ink refill. Even less physical things can be described this way. You might say someone "refills their energy" after a good night's sleep or a relaxing vacation.
The context often shows what is being refilled, but the core idea remains the same: to restore something to its previous level of fullness or supply. It's about replacing what has been used up.
Interestingly, "refill" is also very commonly used as a noun. A "refill" can refer to another serving of a drink at a restaurant or another amount of medicine provided through a prescription. So whether you're topping up your coffee cup or getting more medicine, refill is all about bringing something back to a full or usable state.
Examples
- 1
Water bottle
She refilled her water bottle before the hike.
- 2
Cafe drinks
The cafe offers free refills on tea and coffee.
- Phrasefree refills
you can have more without paying again
- 3
Pharmacy
I need to refill my prescription before I run out.
- Phraserefill a prescription
get more of your medicine from the pharmacy
- 4
Pens
This pen uses small ink refills.
- Phraseink refills
small replacement parts or containers with more ink
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Reusable packaging
Many shops now let customers refill shampoo bottles instead of buying new ones.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- refillnounverb
Forms
- refillspluralnounverb
- refilledpast tenseverbnoun
- refilling-ing formverbnoun