# thawing

/ˈθɔɪŋ/ (US) · /θˈɔːɹɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thawing
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.