freezing

freezing — adjective

1. describes a liquid that is changing from a liquid state into solid ice because t

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a liquid that is changing from a liquid state into solid ice because the temperature has dropped to 0°C or lower

Example

The surface of the lake is freezing early this year because of the cold weather.

freezing + surface of [body of water] — literal ice formation

During the cold snap, the pipes in Feng's basement began to freeze and then burst.

Common collocations
  • freeze over
  • freeze up
  • freeze solid
  • begin to freeze
  • keep freezing
Synonyms
  • icing up

    more specific — refers to ice forming on a surface, not the whole liquid mass

  • solidifying

    more scientific; describes any liquid-to-solid change, not just water

  • hardening

    broader — can refer to materials other than liquids

Antonyms
  • melting

    the opposite process — solid turning back to liquid

Grammar Patterns

be + freezing

freezing + noun (liquid/water/rain)

Usage Note

Often used with 'over' (freeze over) to mean covering a surface with ice, or with 'up' (freeze up) to mean becoming blocked by ice.

Common Mistakes

The lake is freezing' (meaning it is already fully covered in ice).
The lake is frozen' (already solid) or 'The lake is freezing' (still in the process of becoming solid).
'freezing' describes the active process; 'frozen' describes the completed result.

2. describes weather, air, water, or a place that is at a very low temperature, mak

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

describes weather, air, water, or a place that is at a very low temperature, making you feel uncomfortable or needing warm clothing to stay comfortable

Example

Indra pulled her coat tight against the freezing wind as she crossed the bridge.

freezing wind — common collocation for very cold weather

The freezing water of the mountain stream made Élise's feet go completely numb.

Common collocations
  • freezing weather
  • freezing wind
  • freezing water
  • freezing air
  • freezing temperatures
  • freezing cold
Synonyms
  • icy

    suggests something is covered in or feels like ice; slightly narrower

  • bitter

    used mainly for wind or cold weather; similar intensity

  • frigid

    more formal; often describes air or water temperatures

  • arctic

    informal intensifier; compares cold to the Arctic region

Antonyms
  • boiling

    informal; describes extremely hot weather or conditions

  • scorching

    informal; describes very hot, sunny weather

Grammar Patterns

be + freezing

freezing + noun (weather/wind/water/air)

Usage Note

Frequently used with weather-related nouns (wind, air, water, night, weather, temperature). Less commonly used to describe people or animals directly, though 'I'm freezing' is a common colloquial expression meaning 'I feel extremely cold.'

Common Mistakes

The soup is freezing.
The soup is cold / has gone cold.
'freezing' is for weather, air, water, or outdoor conditions, not for food or drinks that have simply cooled down.
She felt freezing in the slightly cool room.
She felt freezing when the heating broke and the temperature dropped to zero.
'freezing' means extremely cold (near or below 0°C), not just uncomfortably cool.

freezing — adverb

freezing — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

These five words form a scale of cold intensity. 'Chilly' is the mildest — it describes air that is uncomfortably cool but not dangerous ('a chilly autumn morning'). 'Cold' is the neutral everyday term for low temperature ('a cold drink', 'cold weather'). 'Icy' adds the idea of ice or frost, either literally (an icy road) or figuratively (an icy stare). 'Freezing' is stronger than 'cold' — it specifically suggests temperatures near or below 0°C, where water turns to ice. 'Frigid' is the most intense and formal, used for extreme cold in air or water ('frigid arctic winds'). For everyday conversation, most English speakers use 'freezing' as the strongest common term — saying 'it's frigid' sounds more literary or scientific. Use 'freezing' when you want to say the cold is harsh enough that you need heavy winter clothing or shelter.

cold ↗chilly ↗icy ↗frigidfreezing ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • below freezing
  • above freezing
  • freezing cold
  • freezing point
  • freezing temperatures
  • freezing weather

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'freezing' developed from the Old English verb 'frēosan', meaning 'to become ice'. This ancient root comes from Proto-Germanic *freusaną, which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *prews-, meaning 'to freeze' or 'to burn with cold'. The same root gave rise to the Latin 'pruina' (rime, hoarfrost) and the Welsh 'rhew' (ice). By the Middle English period, the present participle 'freezinge' emerged as both a verb form and an adjective describing the process of turning to ice. Its use as an intensifying adverb ('freezing cold') developed later, reflecting the physical sensation of extreme cold that all speakers of the language experience.