frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfri-jəd 

1

a

: intensely cold

frigid water

b

: lacking warmth or ardor : indifferent

had an emotionally frigid father

2

: lacking imaginative qualities : insipid

writing precise and frigid poetry

3

a

: abnormally averse to sexual intercourse

—used especially of women

b

of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse

frigidly adverb

frigidness noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of frigid in a Sentence

The frigid gusts of wind stung their faces.

She was born into an emotionally frigid family.

Recent Examples on the Web

The frigid investment and M&A climate for the video game industry continued to thaw in the first quarter of 2025, topping $7.8 billion in the most active quarter since late 2023. —David Bloom, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

The real challenges for would-be escapees were the bay's frigid temperatures (averaging 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit), powerful currents and the 1.25-mile distance to shore. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 5 May 2025

Related article The husband-wife legal team working on two of today’s biggest criminal cases Mangione’s February 21 court hearing in New York on state charges drew dozens of his supporters despite frigid temperatures and long lines to enter the courtroom. —Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

After spending several frigid months cooped up in small apartments, the sudden switch to spring clothes and a packed social calendar can feel a bit overwhelming—and can leave some of us feeling unexpectedly burned out. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin frigidus, from frigēre to be cold; akin to Latin frigus frost, cold, Greek rhigos

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing frigid

• frigid zone

Rhymes for frigid

• rigid

Kids Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

1

: freezing cold

2

: not friendly

a frigid stare

frigidity

frij-ˈid-ət-ē

noun

frigidly

ˈfrij-əd-lē

adverb

frigidness noun

Medical Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

1

: lacking sexual desire : abnormally averse to sexual intercourse

—used especially of women

2

of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse