frosting

noun

frost·​ing ˈfrȯ-stiŋ 

1

a

: icing

b

: trimming, ornamentation

2

: lusterless finish of metal or glass : mat

also : a white finish produced on glass (as by etching)

3

: the lightening (as by chemicals) of small strands of hair throughout the entire head to produce a two-tone effect compare streaking

Examples of frosting in a Sentence

We put frosting on the cupcakes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Besides buttercream frosting, they can be filled with lemon curd, jam, or other creative fillings. —Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

At Cinnaholic, customers can select a frosting from roughly 20 flavors such as cream cheese, caramel, maple and hazelnut. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

That's your frosting, swoosh it on top and that's it. —Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026

Making matters more dramatic — and tragic — Jenna immediately slipped on some of the spilled frosting, barely catching herself on a nearby chair. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for frosting

• costing
• defrosting
• exhausting

Kids Definition

frosting

noun

frost·​ing ˈfrȯ-stiŋ 

1

: icing entry 1 sense 1

2

: a dull finish on metal or glass