verb
Uncommon
thaw
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
1
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."
2
To become friendlier or less reserved after being cold or distant.
"Her icy manner slowly thawed over the course of the evening."
noun
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- thaws
- Third person singular
- thaws
- Past tense
- thawed, thawn
- Archaic forms
- thawest, thawedst, thaweth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for thaw
See all rhymes for thaw →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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