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

Austin opens cold weather shelters Tuesday night Austin is opening its cold weather shelters Tuesday night as freezing temperatures are expected in the region into Wednesday morning. —Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

Protecting children from Ukraine’s freezing temperatures Children in Ukraine are facing their third winter since the escalation of the war in February 2022. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 21 Nov. 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