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

What’s not to love about an airy vanilla cake, a billowy seven-minute frosting, and a shower of coconut for crunch? —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025

With a warm spice flavor and a tangy cream cheese frosting, no one will ever believe that this cake starts with a can of condensed tomato soup. —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025

The first is a cake-like vanilla cookie with vanilla cream cheese frosting. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025

Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. —Essence, 22 Dec. 2025

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