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

The Girl Scout baking mixes and frostings can be preordered from the Miss Jones website from now until January 31. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 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

Premium doughnuts also come topped with coffee, Nutella or matcha frosting, plus s’more, Oreo and Fruity Pebbles toppings. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

The salted caramel, with its deep orange shell, includes a drizzle of its quintessential sauce atop a bed of fluffy frosting. —Austin American Statesman, 15 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