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

Once cooled, the cookies get sandwiched with a dreamy maple-cream cheese frosting that’s smooth, not too sweet, and rich enough to hold its own. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025

The yellow cake with chocolate ganache, Oreo filling and chocolate frosting even had chocolate sprinkles as a nod to its edible picture of Prieto eating ice cream. —Sara Murphy, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025

These treats feature crispy churros filled with birthday cake frosting and topped with pink confetti sprinkles, Taco Bell said in a news release. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

Here’s a recipe for the ultimate carrot cake with orange cream cheese frosting. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 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