frostily
gb/fɹˈɔstəli/ us/fɹˈɔstəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a cold, unfriendly way
in a way that is not friendly
Usage pattern:
[someone] [speaks/answers/looks/smiles] frostily (at [someone])
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.
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.)
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stiffly (Emphasizes formality and discomfort rather than hostility.)
Antonyms
warmly (Shows friendliness and positive feeling.)
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kindly (Shows care and sympathy.)
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cordially (Polite and friendly in a formal way.)
Collocations
reply frostily
|answer frostily
|say frostily
|speak frostily
|remark frostily
|look frostily
|smile frostily
|greet someone frostily
|tell someone frostily
|observe frostily
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- "I don’t think that’s necessary," she said frostily and turned away.
- He looked at me frostily, as if I’d interrupted something important.
- They greeted the new manager politely but frostily.
Learner examples
- She replied frostily.
- He spoke frostily to her.
adverb
literary
C1
property
2
in frosty, icy conditions
in a way that looks or feels frosty
Usage pattern:
[something] [glitters/shines/lies/spreads] frostily
Common mistake:
This literal use is much less common than the figurative meaning; in everyday speech, people often choose "frosty" or "icy" instead.
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.)
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mildly (Suggests gentle, not cold, conditions.)
Collocations
frostily cold
|frostily bright
|glitter frostily
|shine frostily
|frostily lit
|frostily still
|frostily clear
Themes
weather
|nature
Examples
- The fields glittered frostily in the early light.
- Outside, the air hung frostily still over the river.
- The windowpane shone frostily with a thin layer of ice.
Learner examples
- The grass looked frostily white.
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.