frosty

adjective

ˈfrȯ-stē 

frostier; frostiest

1

a

: attended with or producing frost : freezing

b

: briskly cold : chilly

2

: covered or appearing as if covered with frost : hoary

… a man of 65, with frosty eyebrows and hair …

—Nan Robertson

3

: marked by coolness or extreme reserve in manner

… his smile was distinctly frosty.

—Erle Stanley Gardner

frostily

ˈfrȯ-stə-lē 

adverb

frostiness

ˈfrȯ-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of frosty

• icy
• cold
• frigid
• chilly
• freezing
• chill
• cool

Examples of frosty in a Sentence

We received a frosty welcome.

a frosty autumn that was a sign of the brutal winter that followed

Recent Examples on the Web

Then ringleader Sunniva Lindgård, who took the alias from an old SoundCloud handle, shed her counterparts (and some of the frosty detachment) and went solo. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026

Instead, in the past decade, the sport has only gained a more dogged reputation as a frosty space for LGBTQ+ individuals. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2026

The bad press prompted local business boosters to plan a celebration to promote their city — one that showcased the advantages of its frosty climate. —Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026

Declaration of Independence Outside of geopolitics, the debate over the independence of central banks is set to heat up the frosty peaks of Davos. —Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

frosty

adjective

ˈfrȯ-stē 

frostier; frostiest

1

: cold enough to produce frost

a frosty night

2

: covered or appearing to be covered with frost

a frosty glass

3

: cool in manner

frostily

-stə-lē 

adverb

frostiness

-stē-nəs 

noun