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

After rounds of storms swept through the Kansas City region overnight, sunny skies take over Saturday ahead of a frosty Easter Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026

For nearly five decades, Gulf Arab countries and Iran have had frosty, but pragmatic, relations. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026

The frosty relationship between the two organizations has thawed a bit with former NBA executive Chus Bueno taking over as EuroLeague CEO earlier this year. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Central Austin Crown & Anchor A campus-area classic that serves the best old-school burger in town and frosty pitchers of cold beer. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 19 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