Word
frosty
US/ˈfɹɔsti/
UK/fɹˈɒsti/
Definitions
01cold weather
B1 · Intermediate
adj. very cold, with a thin layer of white ice covering the ground or windows.
adj. characterised by the presence of frost or extremely low temperatures sufficient to freeze surface moisture.
“We woke up to a frosty morning with ice covering the car windshield.”
“The frosty air bit at their cheeks as they trudged through the fields, where every blade of grass was encased in a delicate crystalline sheath.”
02unfriendly behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. acting in a way that is not friendly or welcoming.
adj. exhibiting an aloof, chilling, or inhospitable manner in social interaction.
“The atmosphere in the room was frosty after their big argument.”
“The manager gave a frosty reception to the new proposal, barely looking up from her papers as the team presented their findings.”
03covered in frost
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a layer of frost on the surface.
adj. covered with or containing frost; specifically referring to the physical accumulation of ice crystals.
“The frosty branches of the trees looked beautiful in the winter sunlight.”
“He reached for the frosty beer mug, which had been kept in the freezer until the glass was completely opaque with ice.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“After a frosty start in Scotland and Northern Ireland on Monday it will turn more cloudy.” Etymology
From Middle English frosty, forsty, from Old English forstiġ, fyrstiġ (“frosty”), from Proto-West Germanic frostag, frustīg, By surface analysis, frost + -y. Cognates Cognate with West Frisian froastich (“frosty”), Dutch vorstig (“frosty”), German Low German fröstig (“frosty”), German frostig (“frosty”), Swedish frostig (“frosty”). Compare also Saterland Frisian froasterch (“frosty”), German Low German frösterg (“frosty”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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