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

Chicago is a great pick for a city break, even during its famously frigid winters. —Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

But getting in the lake's often-frigid waters is the definitive Tahoe experience. —Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Ötzi the Iceman, who died 5,300 years ago, is kept at a frigid 21 degrees Fahrenheit. —Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

As someone who frequents the office, a lightweight sweater is a necessity for balancing between frigid temps inside and balmy weather outside. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 4 June 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