frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfri-jəd How to pronounce frigid (audio)
Synonyms of frigid
1
a
: intensely cold
frigid water
b
: lacking warmth or ardor : indifferent
had an emotionally frigid father
2
: lacking imaginative qualities : insipid
writing precise and frigid poetry
3
: experiencing diminished or absent sexual desire or response
—used especially of a woman
frigidly adverb
frigidness noun

Synonyms of frigid

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Examples of frigid in a Sentence

The frigid gusts of wind stung their faces. She was born into an emotionally frigid family.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This unique trait has led planetary scientists to hypothesize that the asteroid formed in the frigid outer solar system and migrated inward early in the solar system's history. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The arid and sublime West, the sunny South, the frigid Midwest or the dense East — populations ebb and flow in each. — Washington Post Opinions, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 On a frigid but bright December morning, David Ellison, his top legal chief Makan Delrahim and coterie of executives took over a subterranean space in the New York City office of investment bank UBS. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 The infamous flying-kick-head-butt challenge on Cobi Jones during the 2002 World Cup round of 16 was followed by a kung-fu-like kick on Tim Howard in the frigid Columbus air in World Cup qualifying in 2009. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frigid

Word History

Etymology

Latin frigidus, from frigēre to be cold; akin to Latin frigus frost, cold, Greek rhigos

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frigid was in 1619

Phrases Containing frigid

Rhymes for frigid

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Browse Nearby Words

fright wig
frigid
Frigidaire
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Cite this Entry

“Frigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frigid. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

frigid

adjective
frig·​id ˈfrij-əd How to pronounce frigid (audio)
1
: freezing cold
2
: not friendly
a frigid stare
frigidity
frij-ˈid-ət-ē
noun
frigidly
ˈfrij-əd-lē
adverb
frigidness noun

Medical Definition

frigid

adjective
frig·​id ˈfrij-əd How to pronounce frigid (audio)
1
: lacking sexual desire : abnormally averse to sexual intercourse
—used especially of women
2
of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse
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