Word
thawing
Phoneticsthaw·ing
US/ˈθɔɪŋ/
UK/θˈɔːɹɪŋ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a slow melting when something frozen turns soft or liquid again, like ice becoming water. You see it in spring or when you take food out of the freezer.
n. a gradual melting or softening of frozen material as temperature rises above freezing. Often extended to a warming of relations between people or countries.
Examples
“The thawing snow makes the streets wet.”
“I put the frozen fish in cold water for quick thawing before cooking.”
“The early thawing of the mountain passes opened the valley to trade weeks before the usual spring caravans arrived.”
Examples
simple
“The thawing snow makes the streets wet.”
contextual
“I put the frozen fish in cold water for quick thawing before cooking.”
complex
“The early thawing of the mountain passes opened the valley to trade weeks before the usual spring caravans arrived.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “thawing” in context.
Verb
01. accelerate thawing
“Warm spring sunshine will accelerate thawing in the valleys.”
verb + noun
02. begin thawing
“Take the chicken out to begin thawing an hour before cooking.”
verb + noun
03. delay thawing
“Cold nights can delay thawing even in late March.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. gradual thawing
“Gradual thawing of the lake created large cracks in the surface ice.”
adj + noun
05. rapid thawing
“Rapid thawing in warm water can damage the texture of fish.”
adj + noun
06. safe thawing
“Safe thawing prevents bacteria from growing on frozen food.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. method of thawing
“The safest method of thawing is overnight in the fridge.”
noun + prep + noun
08. period of thawing
“We had a brief period of thawing followed by another freeze.”
noun + prep + noun
09. process of thawing
“The process of thawing should happen slowly in the refrigerator.”
noun + prep + noun
10. allow enough time for thawing
“Take the turkey out early and allow enough time for thawing.”
11. gradual thawing at room temperature
“Bread needs gradual thawing at room temperature to stay soft.”
12. safe thawing in the fridge
“For safe thawing in the fridge, place the meat on a low shelf.”
Real-World Examples
“On the shore of Lake Tiktalik in Canada’s Western Arctic, the thawing permafrost had set off two huge landslides into the water, leaving yawning craters on the tundra.” “Thawing permafrost triggers mudslides on a road travelled by busloads of sightseers.” “Thawing permafrost can release nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, a contributor to climate change that has been largely overlooked in the Arctic, a study showed on Sunday.” “Thawing in cold water, 40 degrees or below, is safe and much faster — water transfers heat far more efficiently than air — but it can still take hours.” Etymology
From thaw + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/thawing