frosty
Americanadjective
-
frostier,
comparative
-
frostiest
superlative
-
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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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.
See Examples For:
The trio were often seen together but when a besotted Harry introduced his new girlfriend, Meghan Markle, to William in 2016, the reaction was frosty, he recounted in "Spare".
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
By 2024, they would release their frosty original track, “Cora de Hielo” under Warner Music Mexico; this featured Natt Calma and Mau Moctezuma, artists whom they met through the local indie scene.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
During his two-year stint in Australia, Yamagami had a notably frosty relationship with some members of Albanese's Labor Party over disagreements regarding China.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
On a frosty February morning last year, fishermen dropped lines through drilled holes in the thin ice as artillery echoed through nearby fields.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
The winter night blew in with frosty wind, and the street lamps with their sputtering carbons swung restlessly and made the shadows dart back and forth like a runner trying to steal second base.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Once we move to the “Mother” sequence, we’ve started to acclimate to the movie’s discomfiting rhythms — which is good considering that, if anything, Timothea and Lilith’s relationship with their mom is even frostier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2025
The trade environment could be about to get frostier.
From Reuters ● Aug. 8, 2023
The news got a much frostier reception from the Kremlin.
From New York Times ● Jan. 25, 2023
Tributes have also been paid by countries that had a frostier relationship with Abe and Japan.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2022
"But, it's almost impossible for me to think you wrong," said Sir Basil, feeling that a chill far frostier than the seeming situation warranted had crept upon them.
From A Fountain Sealed by Anne Douglas Sedgwick
At least it won’t be as cold as the frostiest ball drop on record: 1 degree in 1907.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 31, 2017
The Bentley is capable of getting you anywhere on earth that you’re not likely to go, from the deepest deserts to the frostiest arctic to the autobahn at 187 miles per hour.
From The Verge ● Mar. 8, 2016
But even the frostiest fashion editor might be allowed a little smile of anticipation at the lineup for this year's London Fashion Week.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2013
SE14bloke conjured up a scene to melt the frostiest of hearts.
From The Guardian ● May 27, 2010
My grandmother put on her frostiest look, but didn't answer him.
From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl
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.
