frappe
noun
a milkshake made with ice cream.
frappe
1 American
[frap]
/ fræp /
noun
Northeastern U.S. (chiefly Eastern New England).
frappé
2
American
[fra-pay, fr a -pay]
/ fræˈpeɪ, fraˈpeɪ /
noun
-
frappés
plural
-
a fruit juice mixture frozen to a mush, to be served as a dessert, appetizer, or relish.
-
an after-dinner drink consisting of a liqueur, as crème de menthe, poured over cracked or shaved ice.
-
Ballet. a beating of the toe of the working foot against the ankle of the supporting foot.
adjective
verb (used with object)
frappéed,
frappéing
frappé
British
/ ˈfræpeɪ, frape /
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of frappe1
see origin at frappé
Origin of frappé2
1840–50; < French: past participle of frapper to ice, strike
Explanation
If you live in New England, a frappe is a delicious, creamy, frozen drink — in other words, it's a milkshake. Order a frappe at a diner in Idaho, however, and you'll probably get a confused look. The meaning of the word frappe varies depending on what part of the world you're in. In Massachusetts or Maine, ordering a chocolate frappe will result in a milkshake: ice cream that's blended with syrup and sometimes milk which you can sip through a straw. In other areas, a frappe is a frozen coffee drink, a variation on fruity shaved ice, or even a crispy pastry. The French source is frappé, "made cold with ice."
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.
See Examples For:
Macron said the eight European countries could take part in exercises of France's air-launched nuclear capacity – or force de frappe - and also host air bases where France's nuclear bombers could be stationed.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026
The country’s force de frappe, its nuclear strike force, was crucial to its political self-image, and those weapons required, France claimed, the South Seas testing.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025
By 8 a.m., she’s out the door, headed first to McDonald’s for a caramel frappe and then to the post office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2023
A frappuccino is a portmanteau of "frappe" and "cappuccino" that was first served in a New England coffee shop chain owned by coffee entrepreneur George Howell, per HomeGrounds, a blog that covers all things coffee.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2023
In this line, for instance, he calls up, without a word of definite description, the vision of a sudden and brilliant sunrise: Déjà le jour plus grand nous frappe et nous éclaire.
From Books and Characters French and English by Giles Lytton Strachey
Alongside standard coffees, Costa serves a variety of frappé and fruit coolers, but these contain syrups and can be topped with whipped cream which may not appeal to the clean-living green-juice sippers among us.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2025
A frappé base is not typically called for in traditional Greek recipes for frappé coffee.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2023
I make a Greek frappé, which is Greek iced coffee with Splenda and Greek milk.
From New York Times ● Aug. 6, 2021
If you’re feeling really carefree, you can wash down this Korean carny food with a matcha Oreo frappé, but I wouldn’t advise it.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 1, 2019
Suddenly 'Elle m'a frappé sur l'épaule,' and then said she must leave me at once, in order to meet the Duchesse, who had just returned home.
From Seen and Unseen by E. Katharine Bates
As a result, frappés are regarded to be a Greek specialty and are served as frothy coffee poured over ice cubes.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2023
When I learned that matcha was the tea used to make the green-tea frappés and lattes served at Starbucks, I started experimenting at home.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 17, 2021
The slushy-sweet frappés at Okamoto Kitchen, a food truck in Los Angeles, begin with ice — not plain, but enriched with heavy cream, milk powder and simple syrup.
From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2017
The menu has burgers, of course, but also sandwiches, salads, frappés and such dishes as sloppy Joes and mac and cheese inspired by the brothers’ mom, Alma.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 28, 2016
They include ice creams of various kinds, frozen custards and punches, sherbets, ices, frappés, mousses, parfaits, and biscuits.
From Woman's Institute Library of Cookery Volume 4: Salads and Sandwiches; Cold and Frozen Desserts; Cakes, Cookies and Puddings; Pastries and Pies by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
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