Word
frothy
US/ˈfɹɔθi/
UK/fɹˈɒθi/
Definition
adj. full of small bubbles or light foam, like the top of a cappuccino. In business, you use it for a market where excitement has pushed prices too high.
adj. covered with or consisting of small bubbles or light foam. Extended in business use to describe a market or asset prices driven by excitement rather than underlying value, suggesting overvaluation.
Examples
“She pours the frothy milk over the hot coffee.”
“The barista tops each cappuccino with frothy milk that holds its shape for a few minutes.”
“Analysts warned that frothy housing prices, driven more by speculation than income growth, could fall sharply if interest rates rose.”
Examples
simple
“She pours the frothy milk over the hot coffee.”
contextual
“The barista tops each cappuccino with frothy milk that holds its shape for a few minutes.”
complex
“Analysts warned that frothy housing prices, driven more by speculation than income growth, could fall sharply if interest rates rose.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “frothy” in context.
Verb
01. beat until frothy
“Beat the egg whites until frothy, then add sugar.”
verb + prep + adj
02. become frothy
“Shake the cream for a minute until it becomes frothy.”
verb + adj
03. look frothy
“The beer looked frothy with a thick white head.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. lightly frothy
“Whisk the milk until it is lightly frothy.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. frothy beer
“He poured the frothy beer into a tall glass.”
adj + noun
06. frothy coffee
“She ordered a large frothy coffee to take away.”
adj + noun
07. frothy market
“Analysts warned that the frothy market could soon collapse.”
adj + noun
08. frothy milk
“I love a cappuccino with thick frothy milk.”
adj + noun
09. frothy wave
“The children played in the frothy waves at the shore.”
adj + noun
10. a frothy housing market
“Investors are worried about a frothy housing market.”
11. beat egg whites until frothy
“Beat the egg whites until frothy before folding in the flour.”
12. light and frothy texture
“This mousse has a light and frothy texture.”
Usage
Gradable ('very frothy'); typically placed before the noun or after linking verbs such as 'look' or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“The squiggle-shaped Kitsch Rice Water Protein Solid Shampoo Bar was a clear favorite among panelists thanks mostly to its frothy lather, akin to that of liquid shampoo.” “But here, many drink camel milk neat, with a frothy top layer.” “It’s easy to overlook that twenty-five years ago, the introduction of edible foam—food transformed into a frothy substance, reminiscent of bubbles or ethereal mist—was not just innovative; it was audacious.” Etymology
From froth + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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