frostily
gb/fɹˈɔstəli/ us/fɹˈɔstəli/
C1
English
hűvösen, ridegen, deresen, fagyosan
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] [speaks/answers/looks/smiles] frostily (at [someone])
"I don’t think that’s necessary," she said frostily and turned away.
– Szerintem erre nincs szükség – mondta hűvösen, majd elfordult.
He looked at me frostily, as if I’d interrupted something important.
Hűvösen nézett rám, mintha valami fontos dolgot szakítottam volna félbe.
They greeted the new manager politely but frostily.
Learner examples
She replied frostily.
Hűvösen válaszolt.
He spoke frostily to her.
Hűvösen beszélt hozzá.
Common mistake:
Learners may use it for physical coldness when the context is about feelings; for temperature, use it only when the scene is clearly about weather or cold surfaces.
Meaning
in a cold, unfriendly way
Collocations
reply frostily
|answer frostily
|say frostily
|speak frostily
|remark frostily
|look frostily
|smile frostily
|greet someone frostily
|tell someone frostily
|observe frostily
Synonyms
coldly (More common and general; less vivid than "frostily.")
|
icily (Stronger; suggests hostility or menace.)
|
coolly (Can suggest self-control as well as lack of warmth.)
|
stiffly (Emphasizes formality and discomfort rather than hostility.)
Antonyms
warmly (Shows friendliness and positive feeling.)
|
kindly (Shows care and sympathy.)
|
cordially (Polite and friendly in a formal way.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Definition
in a way that is not friendly
In a manner that shows coldness, unfriendliness, or disapproval, often through tone, words, or facial expression.
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
[something] [glitters/shines/lies/spreads] frostily
The fields glittered frostily in the early light.
A mezők deresen csillogtak a kora reggeli fényben.
Outside, the air hung frostily still over the river.
Odakint a folyó fölött a levegő fagyosan és mozdulatlanul állt.
The windowpane shone frostily with a thin layer of ice.
Learner examples
The grass looked frostily white.
A fű deresen fehérlett.
Common mistake:
This literal use is much less common than the figurative meaning; in everyday speech, people often choose "frosty" or "icy" instead.
Meaning
in frosty, icy conditions
Collocations
frostily cold
|frostily bright
|glitter frostily
|shine frostily
|frostily lit
|frostily still
|frostily clear
Synonyms
icily (More common; emphasizes intense cold or slipperiness.)
|
with frost (A plain paraphrase rather than a single-word synonym.)
Antonyms
warmly (Describes heat or warmth rather than frost.)
|
mildly (Suggests gentle, not cold, conditions.)
Themes
weather
|nature
Definition
in a way that looks or feels frosty
In a way that is characterized by frost, or that has the look or effect of frost; in cold, frosty conditions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
frostily
IPA
GB/fɹˈɔstəli/
US/fɹˈɔstəli/
Syllables & stress
frost - ily (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (frost)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: frostily
- Plural: frostilies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.