frosty

[fraw-stee, fros-tee]

adjective

frostier, frostiest 

1. characterized by or producing frost; freezing; very cold.

   frosty weather.

2. consisting of or covered with a frost.

   frosty designs on the windows; an avenue of frosty trees.

3. lacking warmth of feeling; unfriendly.

   Their frosty greeting puzzled us.

4. resembling frost; white or gray.

   a wedding dress of frosty satin.

5. of or characteristic of old age.

   a frosty brow.

frosty

/ ˈfrɒstɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by frost

   a frosty night

2. covered by or decorated with frost

3. lacking warmth or enthusiasm

   the new plan had a frosty reception

4. like frost in appearance or colour; hoary

Other Word Forms

• frostily adverb
• frostiness noun
• frostless adjective
• unfrosty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frosty¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; frost, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Burkina Faso's military government led by Capt Ibrahim Traore seized power in a coup three years ago, and has had a frosty relationship with Western nations ever since.

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“Do you want to go in?” he asked, his breath visible in the frosty air.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That seemed to amuse Camilla, but Charles and Johnson were said to have had a frosty relationship, including a dispute over his government's plan to process asylum applications in Rwanda years later.

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He was buried on a cold and frosty morning - his name was Henry Jones.

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That summer my memories of the frosty winter when I’d worked in Switzerland faded with Clark by my side.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chilly 
• frigid 
• glacial 
• icy 
• wintry