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.
The flexible modules survived thermal shock cycles from frigid lows to extreme heat and passed the rigorous IEC 63163 international stability standard. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026 The frigid temperatures—while denied by Customs and Border Protection—show up consistently in detainee reports and in the reports of visiting officials or journalists. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 On a frigid February morning in Edinburgh, Scotland, Patrick Hickey had run out of living things to put under his microscope. — Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 In any office environment that can range from boiling to frigid, smart layering is an absolute necessity. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 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

See All Rhymes for frigid

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 27 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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