frosty

[ fraw-stee, fros-tee ]

adjective

, frost·i·er, frost·i·est.

1. characterized by or producing frost; freezing; very cold:

   frosty weather.

2. consisting of or covered with a frost:

   frosty designs on the windows; an avenue of frosty trees.

3. lacking warmth of feeling; unfriendly:

   Their frosty greeting puzzled us.

4. resembling frost; white or gray:

   a wedding dress of frosty satin.

5. of or characteristic of old age:

   a frosty brow.

frosty

/ ˈfrɒstɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by frost

   a frosty night

2. covered by or decorated with frost
3. lacking warmth or enthusiasm

   the new plan had a frosty reception

4. like frost in appearance or colour; hoary

Derived Forms

• ˈfrostiness, noun
• ˈfrostily, adverb

Other Words From

• frosti·ly adverb
• frosti·ness noun
• frostless adjective
• un·frosty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frosty¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; frost, -y ¹

Example Sentences

On Ukraine’s frosty battlefields, in bustling urban cafes in Europe and Asia, on Middle Eastern street corners, there were gasps and widened eyes as the news flashed on televisions and smartphone screens.

From Los Angeles Times

The former defence minister has a much better relationship with President Joe Biden’s White House than Netanyahu, whose rapport is frosty at best.

From BBC

The drill began anew: quarantine, fruit-stripping, ground-level pesticide spraying, more buckets of frosty male Medflies.

From Los Angeles Times

Frosty ties between the two countries seemed to have thawed slightly after India resumed processing visas in October 2023.

From BBC

Still, that leaves open the question of how she’ll fare in the country categories — a situation made only more fraught by the fact that “Cowboy Carter,” which Beyoncé has said was inspired by the frosty reception she got as a performer at the 2016 Country Music Assn.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chilly
• frigid
• glacial
• icy
• wintry