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

Separate the frosting into smaller bowls and add a food coloring to each for different colored frostings. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026

The caramel flavoring adds an extra decadence to this cake's buttercream frosting. —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026

Stay solidly in your authenticity, no frosting needed on this cupcake. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2026

The top part is a chocolate chip cookie cake, covered in a thick layer of chocolate frosting. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 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