antifreeze

American  

[an-ti-freez, an-tee-] / ˈæn tɪˌfriz, ˈæn ti- /

noun

1. a liquid used in the radiator of an internal-combustion engine to lower the freezing point of the cooling medium.

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antifreeze British  

/ ˈæntɪˌfriːz /

noun

1. a liquid, usually ethylene glycol (ethanediol), added to cooling water to lower its freezing point, esp for use in an internal-combustion engine

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Etymology

Origin of antifreeze

First recorded in 1910–15; anti- + freeze

Explanation

Antifreeze is a liquid that lowers the freezing point of water. People put antifreeze in cars so water in the engine doesn't freeze. When water or another liquid freezes, it becomes a solid. A word starting with the prefix anti works against something. Antifreeze is a synthetic liquid that keeps water (or another liquid) from freezing by lowering the freezing point. This is important for many kinds of engines, such as car engines. In climates with very low temperatures in winter, putting antifreeze in cars is important. Antifreeze is crucial to many other machines and gadgets, because frozen liquid can disturb their operation.

Example Sentences

"Remarkably, some of the antifreeze proteins we found are actually structurally related to those of Arctic fish," Gallio said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Producers are expected to add antifreeze into the gas stream, for instance.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Methanol is an industrial chemical found in antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

The colorless gas is also used to make chemicals found in products such as antifreeze, detergents, plastics and adhesives.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025

Her teacher said that the lemmings had a chemical similar to antifreeze in their blood, that kept them active all winter when other little mammals were hibernating.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George