Definition

Noun: A short educational program designed to review and update knowledge on a specific topic for individuals who need to regain or maintain their proficiency, often because developments have occurred since their initial training.

Usage

A "refresher course" is typically taken voluntarily or as a requirement to ensure skills or knowledge remain current. It is not a full introductory course but assumes prior foundational understanding.

Examples

• All employees returning from extended leave must complete a safety refresher course.
• She took a refresher course in accounting software to learn about the new features.
• The pilot attended an annual refresher course on emergency procedures.

Advanced Usage

• "to take a refresher course in [subject]": This is the standard construction for stating what topic is being reviewed.
  • He decided to take a refresher course in conversational French before his trip.

Variants and Related Words

• Refresher (noun, informal): A shortened form sometimes used to refer to the course itself.
  • I'm going to a first-aid refresher next week.
• Update course / Update training (noun phrases): Similar terms emphasizing the aspect of learning new developments.

Synonyms

• Review course: A course that revisits previously learned material.
• Brush-up course: An informal term for a short course to improve existing, but rusty, skills.
• Continuing professional development (CPD): A broader category of ongoing training that often includes refresher courses.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To brush up on [something]": To practice and improve skills or knowledge that one has not used recently. This is the action that a refresher course facilitates.
  • I need to brush up on my statistics before the workshop. Maybe I should find a refresher course.

Noun

1. a course that reviews and updates a topic for those who have not kept abreast of developments