frost

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the process of freezing
b
: a covering of minute ice crystals on a cold surface
also : ice particles formed from a gas
c
: the temperature that causes freezing
2
a
: coldness of deportment or temperament : an indifferent, reserved, or unfriendly manner
b
: failure
the play was … a most dreadful frostArnold Bennett

frost

2 of 2

verb

frosted; frosting; frosts

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover with or as if with frost
especially : to put icing on (cake)
b
: to produce a fine-grained slightly roughened surface on (such as metal or glass)
2
: to injure or kill (plants) by frost
3
: to make angry or irritated
that really frosts me

Examples of frost in a Sentence

Noun The grass was covered with frost. Frost formed on the window. These plants should bloom until the first frost of the season. We had an early frost. Verb The cold had frosted the windows. I have to frost the birthday cake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and northern Texas were under a freeze warning, with a frost advisory impacting parts of northern Texas as well. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 The first fall freezes are coming later too, with Flagstaff seeing its first frost eight days later than normal on average. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
Warm lights, frosted greenery, and shimmery ribbon all help brighten the powerful use of black hue. Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2024 Bridgework and components can be frosted, grained, or mirror-polished. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for frost 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German frost — more at freeze

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1635, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frost was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near frost

Cite this Entry

“Frost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frost. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

frost

1 of 2 noun
1
: the temperature that causes freezing
2
: a covering of tiny ice crystals on a cold surface

frost

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to cover with or as if with frost
especially : to put icing on (as cake)
b
: to give a surface that looks like frost to
2
: to injure or kill by frost : freeze

Biographical Definition

Frost

biographical name

Robert Lee 1874–1963 American poet
Frostian
ˈfrȯ-stē-ən How to pronounce Frost (audio)
ˈfrȯs-chən
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on frost

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