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

: experiencing diminished or absent sexual desire or response

—used especially of a woman

frigidly adverb

frigidness noun

Synonyms of frigid

• 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

Flu cases are slowly rising in Kentucky, coinciding with frigid temperatures and snowy conditions across the state in recent weeks. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

Leave hair loose underneath, with just the base of the neck secured, or do a double-wrap for those frigid days that just arrived. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025

What to know about latest symptoms In line with past seasonal patterns, COVID-19 infections are on the rise as the frigid months of winter approach. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

In addition to the exertion of shoveling, frigid temperatures can also strain the heart. —Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 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