frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfri-jəd 

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

• icy
• chilly
• cold
• freezing
• chill
• cool

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

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

Instead, the frigid, muddy river water rose from ankle deep to chest high in under an hour. — Ren Larson, ProPublica, 28 Sep. 2026

The elasticity-boosting eye wrinkle cream is among its most affordable and beloved products, with a rich consistency that’s ideal for combating the dry, frigid weather ahead. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

The organic matter was synthesized early, likely out in the frigid outer reaches of the Solar System. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing frigid

• frigid zone

Rhymes for frigid

• rigid

Kids Definition

frigid

adjective

frig·​id ˈfrij-əd 

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 

1

: lacking sexual desire : abnormally averse to sexual intercourse

—used especially of women

2

of a female : unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse