adj
frigid
FRIHD-zhihd
Frigid (adj) means Extremely cold. Example: “They trekked across the frigid Antarctic landscape.”
adj
1
Extremely cold.
"They trekked across the frigid Antarctic landscape."
"A frigid wind blew in from the north."
2
Cold and unfriendly in manner; showing no warmth or emotion.
"She gave him a frigid stare and walked away."
3
Dated and often offensive: describing someone (typically a woman) as sexually unresponsive.
"The term "frigid" used this way is now widely considered outdated and insulting."
How to use frigid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery cold — literally (weather, temperature) or in manner (an unfriendly, emotionless person).
When to use it
The sexual sense is dated and considered offensive; avoid it in neutral writing.
Common pairings
frigid temperatures
a frigid reception
frigid air
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like frigid.
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
- Comparative
- more frigid, frigider
- Superlative
- most frigid, frigidest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They trekked across the _____ Antarctic landscape.
Etymology
From Latin frigidus ("cold"), related to frigus ("cold, coldness") — the same root that gives us "refrigerator".
Related words
Rhymes for frigid
See all rhymes for frigid →Frequently asked questions
What does “frigid” mean?
The word “frigid” means extremely cold. In plain terms, very cold — literally (weather, temperature) or in manner (an unfriendly, emotionless person).
How do you pronounce “frigid”?
“Frigid” is pronounced FRIHD-zhihd (/ˈfɹɪd͡ʒɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “frigid” in a sentence?
Here is “frigid” used in a sentence: “They trekked across the frigid Antarctic landscape.”
What is the opposite of “frigid”?
The opposite of “frigid” — its antonyms — is fervid.
What part of speech is “frigid”?
“Frigid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “frigid” come from?
The word “frigid” comes from Latin. From Latin frigidus ("cold"), related to frigus ("cold, coldness") — the same root that gives us "refrigerator".
How many meanings does “frigid” have?
“Frigid” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely cold.
