fridge

American  

[frij] / frɪdʒ /

noun

Informal.

1. a refrigerator.

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fridge British  

/ frɪdʒ /

noun

1. informal short for refrigerator

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Etymology

Origin of fridge

1925–30; by shortening of refrigerator or Frigidaire

Explanation

Fridge is short for refrigerator, that giant kitchen appliance that keeps food cold. If you’re too hungry to say five syllables, just say you’re going to see what’s in the fridge. Although fridge is a little word, a fridge can be anything from a regular-sized refrigerator to one of those little mini-fridges that live in a dorm room or man cave. Fridge sounds like frigid, which means very cold. The colloquial fridge has been around since the mid-1920s, possibly inspired by the well-known refrigerator brand Frigidaire.

Example Sentences

I just couldn’t get myself to pull out my credit card for what even Kirshner, a Brick fan, describes as a “$59 fridge magnet.”

From Slate • Apr. 26, 2026

It lets me turn what’s already in the fridge into something cohesive, something that feels intentional.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

Chinese electric vehicles have become increasingly packed with unconventional features, like built-in massage seats, karaoke systems and a fridge, to stand out in a highly competitive market.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Ohai.ai App “This app changed my life. You can take a photo of the food in your fridge and it will suggest meals you can make.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

I rushed to the fridge, and sure enough, there was a big brown box on one of the shelves.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff