freezing
/ˈfriːzɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfriːzɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfrē-ziŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfriː.zɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfriː.zɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
freezing — adjective
- freezingpositive
- more freezingcomparative
- most freezingsuperlative
1. describes a liquid that is changing from a liquid state into solid ice because t
describes a liquid that is changing from a liquid state into solid ice because the temperature has dropped to 0°C or lower
The surface of the lake is freezing early this year because of the cold weather.
freezing + surface of [body of water] — literal ice formation
During the cold snap, the pipes in Feng's basement began to freeze and then burst.
Rain froze on the branches overnight, covering every twig in a clear layer of ice.
If the river keeps freezing, the ferry will not be able to cross until spring.
- icing up
more specific — refers to ice forming on a surface, not the whole liquid mass
- solidifying
more scientific; describes any liquid-to-solid change, not just water
- hardening
broader — can refer to materials other than liquids
- melting
the opposite process — solid turning back to liquid
文法句型
be + freezing
freezing + noun (liquid/water/rain)
用法筆記
Often used with 'over' (freeze over) to mean covering a surface with ice, or with 'up' (freeze up) to mean becoming blocked by ice.
常見錯誤
2. describes weather, air, water, or a place that is at a very low temperature, mak
describes weather, air, water, or a place that is at a very low temperature, making you feel uncomfortable or needing warm clothing to stay comfortable
Indra pulled her coat tight against the freezing wind as she crossed the bridge.
freezing wind — common collocation for very cold weather
The freezing water of the mountain stream made Élise's feet go completely numb.
After the freezing night, every car window in the parking lot was covered in frost.
Ramón put on three thick layers before going outside into the freezing weather.
The old heating system could not keep the freezing air out of the classroom.
文法句型
be + freezing
freezing + noun (weather/wind/water/air)
用法筆記
Frequently used with weather-related nouns (wind, air, water, night, weather, temperature). Less commonly used to describe people or animals directly, though 'I'm freezing' is a common colloquial expression meaning 'I feel extremely cold.'
常見錯誤
freezing — adverb
1. used to describe how cold something feels, often before the word 'cold' to make
used to describe how cold something feels, often before the word 'cold' to make it stronger, or alone in statements about the weather or temperature being at an extreme low
The bucket water was freezing cold, so Caleb added hot water from the kettle.
freezing cold — adverb modifying the adjective 'cold'
It is freezing in the shed, so the gardener moved the plants inside.
The bedroom felt freezing even though the heater had been running all night long.
It is freezing out here! shouted Mira as she ran toward the warm cabin.
- boiling hot
the extreme opposite; 'boiling' used as an intensifier
文法句型
be + freezing
freezing + cold
用法筆記
Common in everyday spoken English. 'Freezing' in this adverbial use often functions like a predicative adjective after 'be', but with an intensifying effect equivalent to 'extremely cold'. The phrase 'freezing cold' is a fixed collocation where 'freezing' intensifies 'cold.'
freezing — noun
1. the temperature of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), at which water cha
the temperature of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), at which water changes from a liquid to solid ice
The temperature stayed below freezing for the entire week, so the roads stayed icy.
below freezing — fixed phrase for sub-zero temperatures
The forecast warned that temperatures would fall below freezing overnight.
It was five degrees above freezing when Lisa planted the seedlings in the garden.
The roads became dangerous when the temperature dropped to near freezing at sunset.
- zero
refers to the same temperature on the Celsius scale; more common in everyday speech
- freezing point
the full term; slightly more technical
- boiling point
100°C; the opposite temperature reference point for water
文法句型
below + freezing
above + freezing
near + freezing
用法筆記
Almost always appears in fixed prepositional phrases — 'below freezing' (colder than 0°C), 'above freezing' (warmer than 0°C), or 'near freezing' (close to 0°C). Seldom used alone without a preposition.