frigid

[frij-id]

adjective

1. very cold in temperature.

   a frigid climate.

2. without warmth of feeling; without ardor or enthusiasm.

   a frigid reaction to the suggested law.

3. stiff or formal.

   a welcome that was polite but frigid.

   Synonyms: cool, chilly, frosty, distant, standoffish, aloof

4. (of a woman)

   1. inhibited in the ability to experience sexual excitement during sexual activity.

   2. unresponsive to sexual advances or stimuli.

5. unemotional or unimaginative; lacking passion, sympathy, or sensitivity.

   a correct, but frigid presentation.

frigid

/ ˈfrɪdʒɪd /

adjective

1. formal or stiff in behaviour or temperament; lacking in affection or warmth

2. 1. lacking sexual responsiveness

   2. averse to sexual intercourse or unable to achieve orgasm during intercourse

3. characterized by physical coldness

   a frigid zone

Other Word Forms

• frigidness noun
• frigidly adverb
• nonfrigid adjective
• nonfrigidly adverb
• nonfrigidness noun
• unfrigid adjective
• unfrigidly adverb
• unfrigidness noun
• frigidity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigid¹

1590–1600; < Latin frīgidus, equivalent to frīg ( us ) coldness (akin to Greek rhîgos; rigid ) + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigid¹

C15: from Latin frigidus cold, from frīgēre to be cold, freeze; related to Latin frīgus frost

Example Sentences

In January, Mamdani memorably dove into the frigid waters off Coney Island to publicize his freeze on rents.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At California City Detention Facility, immigrants file lawsuit over alleged ‘shockingly deficient’ medical care, frigid temperatures, bugs crawling on walls, sewage backups, inadequate food and water, and generally ‘decrepit’ conditions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Gas plants sometimes have to run on oil during heat waves or frigid weather, but this is expensive and can violate state emissions standards.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The pros and cons of life in our rural town flashed before me: my hard-won friends, the long, frigid winters, the affordability and the reliable rhythms of a seasonal life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yet other parts of the site were positively frigid.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chilly 
• freezing 
• frosty 
• frozen 
• glacial 
• ice-cold 
• icy 
• wintry