freezing

1 of 2

adjective

freez·​ing ˈfrē-ziŋ 

1

: very cold

"Put on your jacket. It's freezing outside!"

Addy rushed home through the darkening streets as if she were pushed along by the wind. She was freezing!

—Connie Porter

2

: being at or below the temperature at which water freezes

a forecast for freezing temperatures overnight

freezing adverb

The weather was freezing cold. [=very cold]

freezingly adverb

freezingly cold temperatures

Mrs. Reed's hands still lay on her work inactive: her eye of ice continued to dwell freezingly on mine.

—Charlotte Brontë

freezing

2 of 2

noun

: the temperature at which water freezes

temperatures dipping below freezing

Synonyms

Adjective

• algid
• arctic
• bitter
• bone-chilling
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• coldish
• cool
• coolish
• frigid
• frosty
• gelid
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• nipping
• nippy
• numbing
• polar
• shivery
• snappy
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of freezing in a Sentence

Adjective

why aren't you wearing a coat, as it's freezing outside?

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Avoid late season pruning and fertilizer applications, which promote new growth that will not have time to harden off before freezing temperatures arrive. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024

Fixture Rearrangement But most MLS markets more hospitable to playing through some of the winter than Denmark. Of MLS’ 30 clubs next season, only 16 play in environments where the average low temperatures are freezing or below in January. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Noun

For long-term freezing: Trim, wash, and thoroughly dry your Brussels sprouts. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2024

One cycle of egg freezing can cost $10,000 in the US and £7,500 in the UK. —Marina Gerner, WIRED, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing freezing

• freezing point
• freezing rain