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 of freezing

Adjective

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

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

This parka takes Canada Goose’s legacy Chelsea Parka model and turns it into a flattering and functional design made to keep you stylish and protected in freezing temperatures. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

Once temps dip below the freezing mark, however, the bitumen becomes brittle and is subject to cracking. —New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025

Noun

Temperatures hovered around freezing with first place in the division on the line. —The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025

More importantly, keeping the indoor temperature above freezing will protect your plumbing. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for freezing

• easing
• pleasing
• seizing
• sneezing
• squeezing
• teasing
• wheezing
• appeasing
• displeasing