frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfri-jəd 

1

a

: intensely cold

frigid water

b

: lacking warmth or ardor : indifferent

had an emotionally frigid father

2

: lacking imaginative qualities : insipid

writing precise and frigid poetry

3

a

: abnormally averse to sexual intercourse

—used especially of women

b

of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse

frigidly adverb

frigidness noun

Synonyms

• icy
• chilly
• cold
• freezing
• chill
• cool

Examples of frigid in a Sentence

The frigid gusts of wind stung their faces.

She was born into an emotionally frigid family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Resilience was what kept Di Caprio’s Glass alive in the frigid temperatures of the American wilderness. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 6 July 2025

After a few frigid weeks, February concluded on a mercifully warm note. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Enquirer reporter Cameron Knight was part of The Enquirer team that reported on the near record-setting snowstorm and frigid temperatures that have persisted over the past two weeks. —Beryl Love, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

With weeks of frigid temperatures this year, outreach groups have kicked into overdrive to provide resources and services. —Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin frigidus, from frigēre to be cold; akin to Latin frigus frost, cold, Greek rhigos

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing frigid

• frigid zone

Rhymes for frigid

• rigid

Kids Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

1

: freezing cold

2

: not friendly

a frigid stare

frigidity

frij-ˈid-ət-ē

noun

frigidly

ˈfrij-əd-lē

adverb

frigidness noun

Medical Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

1

: lacking sexual desire : abnormally averse to sexual intercourse

—used especially of women

2

of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse