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Synonyms

frosty

American  
[fraw-stee, fros-tee] / ˈfrɔ sti, ˈfrɒs ti /

adjective

frostier, frostiest

  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 British  
/ 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

"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

  • frostily adverb
  • frostiness noun
  • frostless adjective
  • unfrosty adjective

Etymology

Origin of frosty

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

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.

From the outset, the justices gave Trump’s solicitor general, John Sauer, a frosty reception.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The name "itjilik," which means "frosty" or "frost" in Inuktitut, reflects the species' Arctic origins.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

After a cold and frosty start for some, it should feel quite pleasant in the afternoon sunshine.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

One frosty morning in January 1956, Gladys Brown and her younger brother, Nolan, drove north on Route 301 in Virginia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Towards the end of a frosty December night, her pains started.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

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.