freezing
UK: ˈfriːzɪŋ | US: ˈfriːzɪŋ
adj. extremely cold
adj. (of behavior or manner) very unfriendly or rigid
v. present participle of "freeze" (to turn into ice or solidify due to cold)
The root "freez" derives from Old English frēosan, meaning "to turn to ice," which traces back to Proto-Germanic freusaną. The suffix "-ing" is a productive English morpheme used to form present participles or gerunds. Over time, "freezing" evolved to describe both the physical process of solidification and metaphorical rigidity (e.g., behavior). The word retains a clear link to temperature extremes, reflecting its Germanic roots in describing natural phenomena.
The freezing wind made it impossible to stay outside for long.
She gave him a freezing glare after his rude remark.
The lake is freezing over as temperatures drop below zero.
His freezing attitude toward newcomers created a hostile environment.
We hurried home through the freezing rain.