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 of frosty

• icy
• cold
• frigid
• chilly
• freezing
• chill
• cool

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

There are different types of drinks to try — Chillers, Refrescas, dirty sodas, frosty lemonades and iced coffees. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025

After recording a massive amount of data testing in Denver and New York City, the autonomous driving technology company views Detroit as the next frosty frontier, according to Waymo’s Jake Tretter, a technical program manager. —Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Like vacationers from frosty climes, this visitor is popping in for a brief visit. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025

Later, wind down with a frosty glass of Naked Pig pale ale at craft brewery Back Forty Beer’s taproom; if hunger strikes, order a hearty, juicy burger too. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025

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