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

Leaving Terracotta Outside in the Cold Terracotta is prone to cracking in freezing temperatures. —Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026

Expect highs in the 40s and sub-freezing lows for the rest of the week. —Lisa Meadows, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

The greatest danger is the threat of freezing and frost. —Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026

Temperatures will hover near the freezing mark Friday, making this a classic spring slop type of event. —Joe Ruch, CBS News, 6 Mar. 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