frothy

American  

[fraw-thee, froth-ee] / ˈfrɔ θi, ˈfrɒθ i /

adjective

frothier, frothiest

1. of, like, or having froth; foamy.

2. unsubstantial; trifling; shallow; empty.

---

Other Word Forms

• frothily adverb
• frothiness noun

Etymology

Origin of frothy

First recorded in 1525–35; froth + -y ¹

Explanation

Something frothy is composed of many small air bubbles. You might like your cappuccino frothy but probably not your tap water. If you order a cappuccino at a cafe, you'll get a cup of strong coffee topped with frothy milk, and a cake recipe might instruct you to beat four eggs until they're frothy. In both examples, air bubbles cause a liquid to become foamy and creamy. A frothy person, however, is bubbly in a different way, full of life and excitement. There's often an implication of "insubstantial," or even "silly" when a person or idea is described as frothy.

Example Sentences

On the plains of northwestern Iran, edged by snow-ribboned ridges, spring nudges almond trees into frothy bloom and a fragile ceasefire brings more traffic onto highways, and more Iranians back to their homeland.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

But the first-quarter fundraising decline reflects what Walters called the industry’s “reset” as it tries to digest the investments from the frothy years of 2020 and 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Whisked egg yolks and sugar get spooned on top, like a frothy, golden ambrosia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

But just as AI hype has sent technology stocks to frothy highs, investors are pouring into consumer staples with the same enthusiasm, pushing some retailers toward valuations that feel equally inflated.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

In the old house on the hill, Baby Kochamma sat at the dining table rubbing the thick, frothy bitterness out of an elderly cucumber.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy