freeze
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for freeze, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To turn solid from cold, or to lower something's temperature until it does.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use freeze
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English freosan, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to freeze," ultimately traced to a Proto-Indo-European word for frost.
Full origin of freeze →Frequently asked questions
What does “freeze” mean?
The word “freeze” means to turn solid from cold, or to lower something's temperature until it does. In plain terms, turning solid from cold, stopping suddenly out of fear, a computer stopping responding, or officially halting something like prices or hiring.
How do you pronounce “freeze”?
“Freeze” is pronounced FREEZ (/ˈfɹiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “freeze” in a sentence?
Here is “freeze” used in a sentence: “The company announced a hiring freeze until the new budget was approved.”
What part of speech is “freeze”?
Depending on how it is used, “freeze” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “freeze” come from?
The word “freeze” comes from Old English. From Old English freosan, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to freeze," ultimately traced to a Proto-Indo-European word for frost.
Is “freeze” a common word?
“Freeze” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “freeze” have?
“Freeze” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to turn solid from cold, or to lower something's temperature until it does.
What is the difference between "freeze" and "frost"?
To "freeze" is to turn solid from cold, or to lower something's temperature until it does. "Frost" refers to the thin layer of ice crystals that forms on surfaces in cold weather, and as a verb means to cover with that layer.
What is the past tense of "freeze"?
"Freeze" is an irregular verb: its past tense is "froze" and its past participle is "frozen," as in "the lake froze" and "the lake has frozen." The present participle is "freezing."
When do you use "freeze" to mean stop moving?
Use "freeze" figuratively when someone suddenly becomes motionless, often from fear or surprise, as in "she froze when she heard the noise." The command "Freeze!" tells a person to stop moving instantly.
What is the difference between "freeze" and "chill"?
To "freeze" is to lower temperature until something turns solid, while to "chill" is to make something cold without freezing it solid. You chill drinks in a fridge but freeze water into ice.