frosty
Americanadjective
-
characterized by or producing frost; freezing; very cold.
frosty weather.
-
consisting of or covered with a frost.
frosty designs on the windows; an avenue of frosty trees.
-
lacking warmth of feeling; unfriendly.
Their frosty greeting puzzled us.
-
resembling frost; white or gray.
a wedding dress of frosty satin.
-
of or characteristic of old age.
a frosty brow.
adjective
-
characterized by frost
a frosty night
-
covered by or decorated with frost
-
lacking warmth or enthusiasm
the new plan had a frosty reception
-
like frost in appearance or colour; hoary
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of frosty
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at frost, -y 1
Explanation
Something that's frosty is covered with pale, icy frost. If you live in Vermont, your car windshield is probably frosty most winter mornings. You can describe the weather as frosty when there's a sharp chill in the air, or you can use the word more literally, to mean "covered in frost," like your frosty front lawn. When a person is frosty, however, she's emotionally cold — haughty, aloof, or even unfriendly. Frosty comes from the Old English fyrstig, "as cold as frost."
Vocabulary lists containing frosty
Chill Out! Synonyms for "Cold"
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White
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Let's Go Caroling, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That met with a frosty reception from most regional capitals.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
But Hanoi aims to stay on good terms with all global powers through its traditional "bamboo diplomacy" approach, while Tokyo has seen its already frosty relations with Beijing deteriorate markedly in recent months.
From Barron's • May 2, 2026
From the outset, the justices gave Trump’s solicitor general, John Sauer, a frosty reception.
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
The name "itjilik," which means "frosty" or "frost" in Inuktitut, reflects the species' Arctic origins.
From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026
As Melynlas cantered over the frosty ground, Taran caught sight of a glittering, dew-covered web on a hawthorn branch and of the spider busily repairing it.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
