Freezing
ˈfriːzɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsTo become solid due to cold; to harden into ice.
ˈfriːzɪŋ
To become hardened into ice or a solid state due to cold.
The lake will freeze over tonight if the temperature drops.
💡 Simply: When water turns into ice, or when you're so cold you're shivering, that's freezing! Imagine you leave water outside overnight, and in the morning, it's all solid ice. That's freezing!
👶 For kids: To get so cold that things turn into ice, like water in the freezer!
More Examples
Make sure to protect the plants from freezing temperatures.
I'm worried that the engine might freeze in this cold weather.
How It's Used
"Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius."
"The pipes froze during the winter."
Extremely cold; at or below the freezing point of water.
ˈfriːzɪŋ
Extremely cold.
It's freezing out here; I can barely feel my toes.
💡 Simply: It means super duper cold! Like, you're shivering, and your nose is turning red. Think of it as 'arctic cold'!
👶 For kids: So cold, it makes you shiver! Like when you're playing outside and it's snowing!
More Examples
The freezing temperatures caused the roads to be icy.
She turned the thermostat up because the apartment was freezing.
How It's Used
"It's freezing outside; wear a coat!"
"My hands are freezing; I need gloves."
The process or act of becoming frozen; the state of being at or below the freezing point.
ˈfriːzɪŋ
The action or process of freezing, or the state of being frozen.
The freezing of the lake created a beautiful winter scene.
💡 Simply: Freezing is when something turns into a solid because it's cold. Think of it like making ice cubes! The process of turning water into ice is freezing.
👶 For kids: When things get so cold they turn into ice!
More Examples
The freezing of the food preserves it for a longer time.
Rapid freezing helps to maintain the quality of the products.
How It's Used
"The freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius."
"The preservation method involved freezing the food."
Idioms & expressions
Freeze frame
A single frame from a film or video that is held on screen for a period of time.
"The movie used a freeze frame to emphasize the ending."
From Middle English *fresinge*, present participle of *fresen* ('to freeze'), from Old English *frēosan* ('to freeze'), from Proto-Germanic *freusaną*.
The word 'freezing' has been used in English since the Middle Ages, initially describing the process of becoming ice, later expanding to describe extreme cold in general.
Memory tip
Think of Elsa's powers in *Frozen* – she makes things freeze!
Word Origin
"to become ice"