wintry

1 of 2

adjective

win·​try ˈwin-trē 

variants or less commonly wintery

ˈwin-t(ə-)rē 

wintrier; wintriest

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of winter

2

a

: weathered by or as if by winter : aged, hoary

b

: cheerless, chilling

a wintry greeting

wintriness

ˈwin-trē-nəs 

noun

wintriness

2 of 2

noun

win·​tri·​ness -‧trēnə̇s 

-trin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being wintry

Synonyms of wintry

Adjective

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

Examples of wintry in a Sentence

Adjective

a wintry mix of sleet and snow

She gave me a wintry welcome.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This warmth is brief, with wintrier weather possible early next week. —Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, areas to the northwest would see mostly wintry precipitation throughout the duration of the event. —Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025

Named after the wintry European region, the Scandinavian hairline refers to a dyeing technique that lightens the wispy, fine strands that frame your face. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 19 Dec. 2024

While the sport most readily associated with the Green Mountain State is skiing—a decidedly wintry endeavor—come spring and summer, look no further than Topnotch Resort for your tennis getaway. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Rhymes for wintry

• reentry

Kids Definition

wintry

adjective

win·​try ˈwin-trē 

wintrier; wintriest

1

: of, relating to, or typical of winter

wintry weather

2

: not warm and friendly : cheerless

a wintry welcome

wintriness noun