freezing

1 of 3

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 3

noun

: the temperature at which water freezes

temperatures dipping below freezing

freezing

3 of 3

present participle of freeze entry 1

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

Despite the freezing temperatures, agents confiscated the migrants’ coats and refused to give them blankets. — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

The beautiful, bright, and incredibly chic three-story abode leads up to a private roof terrace covered in pines with a freezing plunge pool at its center, and an unassuming wooden door that leads to a private sauna. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

The chance of temperatures falling below freezing that morning is less than 20%. — Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

All clouds at heights where temperatures dip below freezing have the potential to create icing conditions, according to the FAA, and icing can happen any time of year if the conditions are right. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 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