frosty

[fraw-stee, fros-tee]

See more synonyms for frosty on Thesaurus.com

adjective, frost·i·er, frost·i·est.

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.

Origin of frosty

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at frost, -y¹

Related formsfrost·i·ly, adverbfrost·i·ness, nounfrost·less, adjectiveun·frost·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for frosty

chilly, icy, wintry, frigid, glacial, arctic, chill, cool, frozen, gelid, nippy, shivery, antarctic, hoar, rimy

Examples from the Web for frosty

Contemporary Examples of frosty

But Byrne himself is the parodist, and he commands the stage by his hollow-eyed, frosty verve.
The Stacks: Pauline Kael's Talking Heads Obsession
Pauline Kael
November 22, 2014
So when you take that first frosty sip of your mint julep in celebration of the Kentucky Derby, enjoy it.
The Storied Origins of the Classic Mint Julep
Dane Huckelbridge
May 3, 2014
Thousands of people wrapped in flags marched in the frosty, smoky air.
Inside the Kiev Crackdown
Anna Nemtsova
December 10, 2013
The only frosty point came when West asked what sex the Royal Baby was – Harry's steely look left the question unanswered.
How Dominic West Got Into Trouble With Prince Harry When He Asked Royal Baby Gender
Tom Sykes
November 7, 2013
Political relations were frosty if not frozen, and there was a drop in bilateral arms deals.
Was It Irresponsible of Israel to Apologize to Turkey?
Brent E. Sasley
May 21, 2013

Historical Examples of frosty

Until now, during every clear night the air had been frosty.
Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia
Thomas Mitchell
When she came in her cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air.
The Little Colonel
Annie Fellows Johnston
Rosie had lifted her frosty face in a smile of welcome, but Amelia did not see it.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
And even as they eased him down upon the blankets his snores were rising on the frosty air.
White Fang
Jack London
"That would be unfortunate," he said, with his frosty smile.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930
Various

British Dictionary definitions for frosty

frosty

adjective frostier or frostiest

characterized by frosta frosty night
covered by or decorated with frost
lacking warmth or enthusiasmthe new plan had a frosty reception
like frost in appearance or colour; hoary

Derived Formsfrostily, adverbfrostiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for frosty

adj.

Old English forstig, fyrstig (cf. Dutch vorstig, German frostig); see frost (n.) + -y (2). Figurative use from late 14c. Related: Frostily; frostiness.