frappe

¹ American  

[frap] / fræp /

noun

Northeastern U.S. (chiefly Eastern New England).

1. a milkshake made with ice cream.

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frappé ² American  

[fra-pey, fra-pey] / fræˈpeɪ, fraˈpeɪ /

noun

plural

frappés

1. a fruit juice mixture frozen to a mush, to be served as a dessert, appetizer, or relish.

2. an after-dinner drink consisting of a liqueur, as crème de menthe, poured over cracked or shaved ice.

3. frappe.

4. Ballet. a beating of the toe of the working foot against the ankle of the supporting foot.

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adjective

1. chilled; iced; frozen.

verb (used with object)

frappéed, frappéing

1. to make a frappé of.

   to frappé rum, fruit juice, and cracked ice.

frappé British  

/ frape, ˈfræpeɪ /

noun

1. a drink consisting of a liqueur, etc, poured over crushed ice

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adjective

1. (postpositive) (esp of drinks) chilled; iced

Etymology

Origin of frappe¹

see origin at frappé

Origin of frappé²

1840–50; < French: past participle of frapper to ice, strike

Explanation

If you live in New England, a frappe is a delicious, creamy, frozen drink — in other words, it's a milkshake. Order a frappe at a diner in Idaho, however, and you'll probably get a confused look. The meaning of the word frappe varies depending on what part of the world you're in. In Massachusetts or Maine, ordering a chocolate frappe will result in a milkshake: ice cream that's blended with syrup and sometimes milk which you can sip through a straw. In other areas, a frappe is a frozen coffee drink, a variation on fruity shaved ice, or even a crispy pastry. The French source is frappé, "made cold with ice."

Example Sentences

Macron said the eight European countries could take part in exercises of France's air-launched nuclear capacity – or force de frappe - and also host air bases where France's nuclear bombers could be stationed.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

The country’s force de frappe, its nuclear strike force, was crucial to its political self-image, and those weapons required, France claimed, the South Seas testing.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

By 8 a.m., she’s out the door, headed first to McDonald’s for a caramel frappe and then to the post office.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2023

A frappuccino is a portmanteau of "frappe" and "cappuccino" that was first served in a New England coffee shop chain owned by coffee entrepreneur George Howell, per HomeGrounds, a blog that covers all things coffee.

From Salon • Jul. 1, 2023

Menu: two dozen oysters from Ostend, a bottle of champagne frappe, three slices of roast beef, a truffle salad, coffee and a chaser.

From The George Sand-Gustave Flaubert Letters by McKenzie, Aimée G. Leffingwel