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

Add 2 tablespoons of the cream, raise the mixer speed to medium, and beat until the frosting is pale and easily spreadable and has increased quite a bit in volume. —Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Editors sampled the vanilla frostings side by side, scoring them on taste, texture, and overall experience using a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026

Once the cake is cool, cover with the frosting. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026

Cook with them: Add a cube to soups, sauces, or sautés at the end of cooking for a subtle burst of acidity that balances and brightens. Use for glazes, frostings, or syrups: Try our lemon glaze for cookies or pound cake or lemon syrup for cocktails. —Laura Manzano, Martha Stewart, 18 Feb. 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