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adj

frigid

FRIHD-zhihd
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"The term "frigid" used this way is now widely considered outdated and insulting."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 notes

In 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

Word Forms

more frigid comparative, frigider comparative, most frigid superlative, frigidest superlative

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They trekked across the _____ Antarctic landscape.

Etymology

From Latin frigidus ("cold"), related to frigus ("cold, coldness") — the same root that gives us "refrigerator".

Antonyms

Related Words

Rhymes for frigid

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial