frost

1 of 2

noun

ˈfrȯst 

1

a

: the process of freezing

b

: a covering of minute ice crystals on a cold surface

also : ice particles formed from a gas

c

: the temperature that causes freezing

2

a

: coldness of deportment or temperament : an indifferent, reserved, or unfriendly manner

b

: failure

the play was … a most dreadful frost

—Arnold Bennett

frost

2 of 2

verb

frosted; frosting; frosts

transitive verb

1

a

: to cover with or as if with frost

especially : to put icing on (cake)

b

: to produce a fine-grained slightly roughened surface on (such as metal or glass)

2

: to injure or kill (plants) by frost

3

: to make angry or irritated

that really frosts me

intransitive verb

: to become frosted

Synonyms

Noun

• hoar
• hoarfrost
• rime

Verb

• aggravate
• annoy
• bother
• bug
• burn (up)
• chafe
• eat
• exasperate
• gall
• get
• grate
• gripe
• hack (off)
• irk
• irritate
• itch
• nark [British]
• nettle
• peeve
• persecute
• pique
• put out
• rasp
• rile
• ruffle
• spite
• vex

Examples of frost in a Sentence

Noun

The grass was covered with frost.

Frost formed on the window.

These plants should bloom until the first frost of the season.

We had an early frost.

Verb

The cold had frosted the windows.

I have to frost the birthday cake.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As a rule of thumb, wait until late spring to sow warm-season grass seed, after the threat of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025

Both 2017 and 2016 were considered very good, with 2017 marked by a short harvest due to early frost and 2016 noted for a hot, dry summer. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2025

Verb

Or grind it to a fine powder, then fold it into frosting, stir it into cupcake batter, or combine it with TJ’s Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar to rim a cocktail glass! —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025

Everyone gathers around the kitchen counter while all the kids collectively attempt to frost a cake with bright-pink and blue frosting. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German frost — more at freeze

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1635, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing frost

• frost heave

Rhymes for frost

• bossed
• cost
• crossed
• dost
• glossed
• lost
• prost
• rost
• tossed
• accost
• crisscrossed
• defrost

Kids Definition

frost

1 of 2 noun

ˈfrȯst 

1

: the temperature that causes freezing

2

: a covering of tiny ice crystals on a cold surface

frost

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to cover with or as if with frost

especially : to put icing on (as cake)

b

: to give a surface that looks like frost to

2

: to injure or kill by frost : freeze

Biographical Definition

Frost

biographical name

ˈfrȯst 

Robert Lee 1874–1963 American poet

Frostian

ˈfrȯ-stē-ən 

ˈfrȯs-chən

adjective