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

• icy
• frigid
• chilly
• cold
• 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

The coin- and credit-card-operated vendor carries up to 200 items, from olive oil to computer discs to sandwiches to toothpaste (storing the perishables at a frosty 35 degrees F). —Merrill Fabry, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

The National Weather Service is expecting northern and central Indiana to see temperatures as low as 34 degrees, with rural areas likely to experience more frosty conditions. —Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025

Fall weather can fluctuate wildly from frosty mornings to warm autumn days that are perfect for apple picking and getting late-season gardening tasks done. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025

Bloom is the fine, powdery film that coats grapes, giving them a frosty appearance. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 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