verb Uncommon

thaw

Thaw (verb) means to melt or soften after being frozen, or to cause something frozen to melt. Example: “Take the chicken out of the freezer to thaw overnight.”

verb

To melt or soften after being frozen, or to cause something frozen to melt.

"Take the chicken out of the freezer to thaw overnight."

"The snow began to thaw as spring arrived."

To become friendlier or less reserved after being cold or distant.

"Her icy manner slowly thawed over the course of the evening."

noun

A period when frozen ground, ice, or snow melts, or a period of improving relations.

"The January thaw turned the roads to slush."

"Diplomats spoke of a thaw in relations between the two countries."

How to use thaw

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo go from frozen/cold to melted/warm — used for ice, food, feelings, or tense relationships.

Common pairings

thaw out a thaw in relations

Word forms

thawed past tense, thawn past tense, thaw plural, thawed plural, thaws plural, Thaws plural, thaws singular, thaw singular, thawed singular, thawest singular, thawedst singular, thaweth singular

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Take the chicken out of the freezer to _____ overnight.

Etymology

From Old English þawian, "to thaw" — an old Germanic word for melting ice or snow.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for thaw

haw shaw

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Frequently asked questions

What does “thaw” mean?

The word “thaw” means to melt or soften after being frozen, or to cause something frozen to melt. In plain terms, to go from frozen/cold to melted/warm — used for ice, food, feelings, or tense relationships.

How do you pronounce “thaw”?

“Thaw” is pronounced thaw (/θɔ/ in IPA).

How do you use “thaw” in a sentence?

Here is “thaw” used in a sentence: “Take the chicken out of the freezer to thaw overnight.”

What part of speech is “thaw”?

Depending on how it is used, “thaw” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “thaw” come from?

The word “thaw” comes from Old English. From Old English þawian, "to thaw" — an old Germanic word for melting ice or snow.

Is “thaw” a common word?

“Thaw” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “thaw” have?

“Thaw” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to melt or soften after being frozen, or to cause something frozen to melt.

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