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Synonyms

freezing

American  
[free-zing] / ˈfri zɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (of temperatures) approaching, at, or below the freezing point.

  2. extremely or uncomfortably cold; chilled.

    We were both freezing and welcomed the hot cocoa.

  3. beginning to freeze or partially frozen; frozen; in the process of being or becoming frozen. frozen.

freezing British  
/ ˈfriːzɪŋ /

adjective

  1. informal extremely cold

"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

Other Word Forms

  • freezingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of freezing

First recorded in 1605–15; freeze + -ing 2

Vocabulary lists containing freezing

Chemistry - Introductory

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Chemistry - High School

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Chemistry - Middle School

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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.

He has also reshuffled city committees that could pave the way for freezing rent increases in the coming months.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The U.A.E. also is considering tougher financial actions, including freezing Iranian assets in the country, the Journal has reported.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

So, they braved the freezing temperatures and, while wearing “parkas, hoodies, gloves, and face masks,” spent the evening grilling.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

In March our nights are still around 11 hours in length and so with clear skies, temperatures still have enough time to fall close to and below freezing to bring some frosty mornings.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Not surprisingly, the vacation cabins the pilots had been living in all summer turned out to be drafty and freezing cold in the winter.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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.