freezing
FREEZ-ihng
Freezing (adj) means Extremely cold. Example: “Put a scarf on, because the wind is absolutely freezing today.”
adj
1
Extremely cold.
"Put a scarf on, because the wind is absolutely freezing today."
"It was freezing outside, so we stayed in with hot chocolate."
"Her hands were freezing after walking without gloves."
noun
1
The process by which a liquid turns solid due to cold.
"The freezing of water in the pipes can cause them to burst."
"Careful freezing of the soup in small tubs keeps it fresh for months."
"The freezing of the lake meant the ferry service had to stop for the winter."
How to use freezing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery cold, or the process of a liquid turning solid.
Common pairings
freezing cold
freezing point
freezing temperatures
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like freezing.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- freezings
- Comparative
- more freezing
- Superlative
- most freezing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Put a scarf on, because the wind is absolutely _____ today.
Etymology
Formed from "freeze" plus the suffix "-ing."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for freezing
See all rhymes for freezing →Frequently asked questions
What does “freezing” mean?
The word “freezing” means extremely cold. In plain terms, very cold, or the process of a liquid turning solid.
How do you pronounce “freezing”?
“Freezing” is pronounced FREEZ-ihng (/ˈfɹiːz.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “freezing” in a sentence?
Here is “freezing” used in a sentence: “It was freezing outside, so we stayed in with hot chocolate.”
What is another word for “freezing”?
Words with a similar meaning to “freezing” include frosty, frigorific and frost.
What part of speech is “freezing”?
Depending on how it is used, “freezing” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “freezing” a common word?
“Freezing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “freezing” have?
“Freezing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely cold.
What is the difference between "freezing" and "frozen"?
"Freezing" describes extreme cold or the process of turning solid ("a freezing wind," "the pond is freezing over"), while "frozen" describes the completed state ("the pond is frozen"). When people say "I'm freezing," they mean they feel extremely cold, not that they are literally turning to ice.
Is "freezing cold" redundant?
No — in "freezing cold," the word "freezing" works as an intensifier meaning "extremely," so the phrase means "extremely cold." It is standard in informal speech ("It's freezing cold outside"), though formal or technical writing prefers plain "freezing" or an exact temperature.
What temperature counts as freezing?
In the scientific sense, freezing is the point at which a liquid turns solid, which for water is 0°C (32°F). In everyday speech, "freezing" just means very cold, so people say "it's freezing in here" at temperatures well above zero. Context shows whether the precise freezing point or general discomfort is meant.
When should you use "freezing" instead of "cold"?
"Cold" is the neutral, all-purpose word; "freezing" is stronger and more emotive, so use it to stress that the cold is extreme: "a cold morning" versus "a freezing morning." Weather reports and technical writing generally stick with "cold" plus a figure, while "freezing" dominates in everyday complaints.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include freezing:
