noun
frost
frost
noun
1
A thin layer of ice crystals that forms on surfaces exposed to freezing air.
"There was frost on the windshield this morning."
2
Freezing weather cold enough to produce this layer of ice.
"An early frost damaged the crops."
verb
1
To cover a cake or other baked good with icing.
"She frosted the cupcakes with pink buttercream."
2
To become covered with a thin layer of ice.
"The grass frosted overnight."
How to Use Frost
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe icy coating that forms in cold weather, or to coat a cake with icing.
UK vs US
"Frosting" (the icing itself) is the standard American term; British English usually just says "icing".
Common pairings
frost forms
a hard frost
frost a cake
Word Forms
frosted past tense, frosts plural, Frosts plural, frosts singular
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Etymology
From Old English forst, going back to a Proto-Germanic word related to "freeze".