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

In addition, Moscow continued its efforts to wreck the Ukrainian power grid before the freezing winter months. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Small problems that seem insignificant now can quickly turn into costly repairs once fall rain, winter snow, ice and freezing temperatures put additional stress on your home. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Simply stated, egg freezing works when eggs are frozen at the right age. — Dr. Jaime Knopman, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Jhin says doctors can remove them by shaving, scraping, freezing or cauterizing them. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 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