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

What Happens to Propane Tanks in Cold Weather Propane tanks can be left outside in the cold, including in freezing temperatures. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 2026

Don’t expect the freezing temperatures to stem her penchant for naked dressing, though. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026

Noun

The power outage also meant many homes lost heating and hot water as temperatures dropped well below freezing in Berlin. —Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Snowy weather and freezing temperatures have slowed down efforts to restore electricity and made life extra difficult for those affected. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026

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