refill

American  

[ree-fil, ree-fil] / riˈfɪl, ˈriˌfɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to fill again.

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noun

1. a material, supply, or the like, to replace something that has been used up.

   a refill for a prescription.

refill British  

verb

1. to fill (something) again

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noun

1. a replacement for a consumable substance in a permanent container

2. a second or subsequent filling

   a refill at the petrol station

3. informal another drink to replace one already drunk

Other Word Forms

• nonrefillable adjective
• refillable adjective
• unrefilled adjective

Etymology

Origin of refill

First recorded in 1680–90; re- + fill

Explanation

To refill is to fill something again, the way you refill your motorcycle's gas tank or refill your cat's water bowl when you notice it's almost empty. You can also refill a prescription, by going to the pharmacy and getting another month's worth of medication. The bottle of pills itself can also be called a refill. People commonly use this word as a noun for the act of filling up, too: "Hey, grab that waiter and ask for a refill on the Cokes!"

Example Sentences

"We used to pay around £500 to refill our oil tank," she explains.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Day and night, drivers queue for hours for the chance to refill fuel tanks, as import-dependent Bangladesh grapples with shortages due to the Middle East war.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

It is not practical for everyone to drive long distances — and then possibly encounter long lines — to refill their tanks at lower prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Medicines eligible for refill include statins for high cholesterol, blood-pressure medications and contraceptives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Then I tell my mom I need a refill, and somehow my father gets involved.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Related Words

• dressing
• layer
• mixture
• stuffing