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
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
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.
The video featured a manager from one of Palantir’s private customers, Wendy’s, explaining how the same digital system helps the fast-food chain manage its inventory of Thin Mints-flavored Frosty mix across its restaurants.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026
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
Customers can get the “Thin Mints-inspired swirl” with a Chocolate or Vanilla Frosty base, per Wendy’s.
From Salon • Jan. 29, 2025
Frosty ties between the two countries seemed to have thawed slightly after India resumed processing visas in October 2023.
From BBC • Oct. 14, 2024
I also really like Wendy’s ’cause they put bacon on the burger on the dollar menu, and sometimes Mom lets me get a Frosty if she has a coupon.
From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle
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.
