frosty

adjective

ˈfrȯ-stē 

frostier; frostiest

1

a

: attended with or producing frost : freezing

b

: briskly cold : chilly

2

: covered or appearing as if covered with frost : hoary

a man of 65, with frosty eyebrows and hair

—Nan Robertson

3

: marked by coolness or extreme reserve in manner

his smile was distinctly frosty

—Erle Stanley Gardner

frostily

ˈfrȯ-stə-lē 

adverb

frostiness

ˈfrȯ-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of frosty in a Sentence

We received a frosty welcome.

a frosty autumn that was a sign of the brutal winter that followed

Recent Examples on the Web

What's happening: Temperatures are getting frostier, flannel is getting cozier and leaves are beginning to get prettier. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

However, the one thing that will make the frosty air easier to tolerate is curating a killer wardrobe. —Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Halloween in Louisville:Here are 15 family-friendly things to do with your kids Last year's Halloween weather Halloween weather in 2023 was a little on the frosty side for Louisville. —John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 2024

No need to get frosty — National Ice Cream Day (July 21 this year) is almost here and stores throughout metro Phoenix are offering freebies and discounts. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

frosty

adjective

ˈfrȯ-stē 

frostier; frostiest

1

: cold enough to produce frost

a frosty night

2

: covered or appearing to be covered with frost

a frosty glass

3

: cool in manner

frostily

-stə-lē 

adverb

frostiness

-stē-nəs 

noun