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

While this frosty look has roots in Y2K makeup, the history of blue eye shadow goes back much further. —Andrea Carbajal, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026

But the frosty dynamics between Perez, Albritton and DeSantis carried over into the 2026 session. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

The Strawberry Horchata Cream Slush becomes available nationwide on March 23, but app users will get to preview the frosty beverage a week earlier. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

As Byron’s wife, Franny, Rossellini is a frosty woman who would rather light priceless paintings on fire than sit through a dinner with her husband. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

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