frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfri-jəd 

1

a

: intensely cold

frigid water

b

: lacking warmth or ardor : indifferent

had an emotionally frigid father

2

: lacking imaginative qualities : insipid

writing precise and frigid poetry

3

: experiencing diminished or absent sexual desire or response

—used especially of a woman

frigidly adverb

frigidness noun

Synonyms of frigid

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

Examples of frigid in a Sentence

The frigid gusts of wind stung their faces.

She was born into an emotionally frigid family.

Recent Examples on the Web

The organic matter was synthesized early, likely out in the frigid outer reaches of the Solar System. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

The pilot on one of those missions, flown during the frigid Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in late 1950, recalled the action in a 2000 essay for the US Naval Institute’s Naval History magazine. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

The frigid temperatures, ice, and snow will all wear down the components faster than if the unit is stored inside during the cold months. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 14 Sep. 2026

My sentinel, dressed in a sharp black suit, his frigid blue eyes taut with grief. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin frigidus, from frigēre to be cold; akin to Latin frigus frost, cold, Greek rhigos

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing frigid

• frigid zone

Rhymes for frigid

• rigid

Kids Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

1

: freezing cold

2

: not friendly

a frigid stare

frigidity

frij-ˈid-ət-ē

noun

frigidly

ˈfrij-əd-lē

adverb

frigidness noun

Medical Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

1

: lacking sexual desire : abnormally averse to sexual intercourse

—used especially of women

2

of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse