refresher course: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

B2
UK/rɪˈfreʃ.ə ˌkɔːs/US/rɪˈfreʃ.ɚ ˌkɔːrs/

Formal, Professional

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Quick answer

What does “refresher course” mean?

A short training course to update knowledge or skills, typically in a professional field.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A short training course to update knowledge or skills, typically in a professional field.

A period of study or practice designed to review and update one's familiarity with a subject or procedure, often required to maintain a certification or professional standard.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally standard in both varieties.

Connotations

Professional development, mandatory training, skill maintenance.

Frequency

Common in professional, educational, and corporate contexts in both regions.

Grammar

How to Use “refresher course” in a Sentence

refresher course in [subject]refresher course on [topic]refresher course for [profession/group]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
attend ago on acomplete amandatoryprofessionalrequiredannual
medium
offer aprovide atake ashortone-daysafetyCPD
weak
intensivecomprehensiveonlinepracticaluseful

Examples

Examples of “refresher course” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • She was sent to refresher-train in the latest protocols.
  • The staff need to refresher-train annually.

American English

  • She was sent to get refresher-trained on the new software.
  • The team needs to take a course to refresher-train.

adverb

British English

  • The team was trained refresher-quickly.
  • He completed the module refresher-efficiently.

American English

  • The team was trained in a refresher-quick manner.
  • She studied the material refresher-thoroughly.

adjective

British English

  • He attended a refresher-training day.
  • The refresher-course material was very useful.

American English

  • She signed up for a refresher-training seminar.
  • The refresher-course objectives were clear.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Employees are required to complete an annual cybersecurity refresher course.

Academic

The university offers a summer refresher course in advanced calculus for returning students.

Everyday

I'm doing a refresher course in first aid before our camping trip.

Technical

Pilots must undergo a simulator-based refresher course every six months.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “refresher course”

Strong

revalidation trainingCPD modulemandatory update

Neutral

update courserevision coursebrush-up course

Weak

review sessiontraining workshopskill update

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “refresher course”

introductory coursefoundation coursebeginner's class

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “refresher course”

  • Using 'refreshment course' (incorrect). Confusing with 'introductory course'. Using plural incorrectly: 'refreshers course'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while common in professional contexts, anyone can take a refresher course to review any skill or subject they've learned before.

It varies greatly, from a few hours or a single day to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the subject.

A 'training course' implies initial or new learning. A 'refresher course' assumes prior knowledge and aims to review, update, or reactivate it.

Yes, it's common to take a 'language refresher course' to practice and recall a language you studied previously but haven't used recently.

A short training course to update knowledge or skills, typically in a professional field.

Refresher course is usually formal, professional in register.

Refresher course: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈfreʃ.ə ˌkɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈfreʃ.ɚ ˌkɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • A quick refresher never hurt anyone.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

REFRESH your memory + COURSE of study = REFRESHER COURSE.

Conceptual Metaphor

KNOWLEDGE IS A TOOL (that needs sharpening).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Medical practitioners are often required to complete a course every five years to maintain their registration.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a 'refresher course'?