frosty
Americanadjective
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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.
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resembling frost; white or gray.
a wedding dress of frosty satin.
-
of or characteristic of old age.
a frosty brow.
adjective
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characterized by frost
a frosty night
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covered by or decorated with frost
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lacking warmth or enthusiasm
the new plan had a frosty reception
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like frost in appearance or colour; hoary
Other Word 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.
On Wednesday, Wendy’s joined in, with a video of its U.S. president eating nearly half a burger and dipping a fry in a Frosty.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
Frosty conditions are expected to return next week, with forecasters warning of a risk of ice causing treacherous conditions.
From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025
And the first property he had Frosty goatscape was the same place where Wilcox milked a goat back when he was 8 years old.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2024
The chain has previously released seasonally-themed Frostys, including Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint flavors, along with more classic options, like the Vanilla Frosty.
From Salon • Aug. 8, 2024
Frosty cold nipped the air, but a rising sun promised to put up a valiant fight against the chill.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
