subzero

adjective

sub·​ze·​ro ˌsəb-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō 

-ˈzir-(ˌ)ō

variants or sub-zero

1

: registering less than zero on some scale (especially the Fahrenheit scale)

subzero temperatures

2

: characterized by or suitable for subzero temperatures

subzero winters

sub-zero snow boots

Here the altitude was almost a mile and a half above sea level and there was already hard frost in the mornings. With the first storm, the mornings would be subzero.

—Tony Hillerman

Examples of subzero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Principal shooting extended over 142 days, which is very long in Hong Kong cinema, and there was also the additional physical challenge of filming in subzero temperatures in South Korea. —Clifford Coonan, Variety, 14 May 2025

Lows are expected to be around zero in Milwaukee overnight Wednesday to Thursday and will be subzero inland, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Denny VanCleave. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024

Listen to this article The Chicago area will see bitterly cold weather this week with single-digit temperatures and subzero wind chills, according to the National Weather Service. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

As is typical, the coldest weather will be over the northern Plains and upper Midwest, where some spots may see subzero high temperatures next Sunday and Monday. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subzero

• nonzero
• biro
• spiro
• zero
• superhero

Kids Definition

subzero

adjective

sub·​ze·​ro

ˌsəb-ˈzē-rō

: being or marked by temperature below zero