freezing

1 of 2

adjective

freez·​ing ˈfrē-ziŋ 

1

: very cold

"Put on your jacket. It's freezing outside!"

Addy rushed home through the darkening streets as if she were pushed along by the wind. She was freezing!

—Connie Porter

2

: being at or below the temperature at which water freezes

a forecast for freezing temperatures overnight

freezing adverb

The weather was freezing cold. [=very cold]

freezingly adverb

freezingly cold temperatures

Mrs. Reed's hands still lay on her work inactive: her eye of ice continued to dwell freezingly on mine.

—Charlotte Brontë

freezing

2 of 2

noun

: the temperature at which water freezes

temperatures dipping below freezing

Synonyms of freezing

Adjective

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

Examples of freezing in a Sentence

Adjective

why aren't you wearing a coat, as it's freezing outside?

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After several days of unseasonable warmth, freezing temperatures are expected overnight across parts of the Delaware Valley — a sudden swing that could impact both backyard plants and commercial crops. —Eva Andersen, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026

Just five hours of sub-freezing temperatures is enough to take out crops. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

Noun

Before the holders, my bulk freezing routine consisted of me trying my best to make the bags stand up on their own, folding down the tops to avoid getting meat and other ick everywhere, and fidgeting with portions to get food in without spilling all over the place. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026

Despite the breakthrough, experts caution that the findings do not suggest that larger organisms — such as mammals — could be revived after similar periods of freezing. —Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing freezing

• freezing point
• freezing rain

Rhymes for freezing

• easing
• pleasing
• seizing
• sneezing
• squeezing
• teasing
• wheezing
• appeasing
• displeasing