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

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

Land O'Lakes recommends freezing sticks in their original carton. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 June 2025

The man then made the couple go outside in the freezing rain, according to prosecutors. —Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025

Noun

After an hour of freezing, transfer them into small bags or airtight containers and store them in the freezer. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 17 June 2025

The university faces serious financial pressure following the freezing of $790 million in federal funding by the administration of President Donald Trump in April. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 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