frigid

/ˈfrɪdʒɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfrɪdʒɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfri-jəd/ (ame, mw)

frigid — adjective

  • frigidpositive
  • more frigidcomparative
  • most frigidsuperlative

1. describing weather, air, or a place where the temperature is so low that it feel

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing weather, air, or a place where the temperature is so low that it feels painful or dangerous to be in.

例句

Omar packed extra blankets before the bus crossed the frigid plains of Mongolia.

attributive: frigid + [region/landscape noun]

The wind off the lake was so frigid that Reuben could not feel his fingers.

predicative: be + frigid, intensified by 'so … that'

同義詞
  • freezing

    everyday word; same meaning but neutral register

  • arctic

    vivid, dramatic; suggests polar-level cold

  • bitter

    often paired with 'cold' or 'wind'; emphasises painful sting

反義詞
  • balmy

    pleasantly warm air or weather

  • sweltering

    uncomfortably hot, the opposite extreme

用法筆記

Subject is usually weather, air, a place, or a body of water. Stronger than 'cold' or 'chilly' — implies the cold is severe enough to threaten comfort or safety.

常見錯誤

❌I drank a frigid glass of water.
✅I drank an ice-cold glass of water.
💡'frigid' applies to environments and large bodies, not single small objects you handle.

2. of a person, look, or atmosphere: showing no warmth, friendliness, or willingnes

2.形容詞C1
釋義

of a person, look, or atmosphere: showing no warmth, friendliness, or willingness to engage with someone.

例句

Femi greeted his ex-business partner with a frigid handshake and turned away.

collocation: frigid handshake / frigid smile / frigid silence

Abigail's frigid stare made the new intern apologise twice for the same mistake.

noun phrase: frigid stare / frigid look

同義詞
  • icy

    very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech

  • aloof

    describes a habitual style of keeping distance, not a single cold response

  • stony

    emphasises a face or expression showing no feeling

反義詞
  • cordial

    warm and friendly in a polite, formal way

  • welcoming

    actively making others feel at ease

用法筆記

Often modifies a noun for behaviour or atmosphere (handshake, stare, silence, tone, reception). When applied to a person, the focus is on their manner toward others, not their personality overall. More formal and judgemental than 'cold' or 'unfriendly'.

常見錯誤

❌My grandfather is a frigid man who never laughs.
✅My grandfather is a cold man who never laughs.
💡for a general personality description, 'cold' or 'distant' fits better; 'frigid' suits a specific moment, look, or response.

3. an older clinical or social label, applied almost always to women, meaning lacki

3.形容詞C2
釋義

an older clinical or social label, applied almost always to women, meaning lacking sexual desire or unable to respond physically during sex. Now widely seen as offensive and outdated.

例句

Older medical books labelled many women frigid without ever asking about their relationships.

historical clinical usage; past-tense narrative frame

Ilan's grandmother said her doctor in 1960 called her frigid for refusing a second pregnancy.

historical anecdote with specific date and context

同義詞
  • asexual

    modern, neutral term for someone who feels little or no sexual attraction

  • anorgasmic

    clinical term for difficulty reaching orgasm; specific and medical, not judgemental

反義詞
  • passionate

    showing strong sexual or emotional feeling

用法筆記

Almost never used neutrally today; modern writers either avoid the word or use it only when discussing the history of the term. Distinguish from sense 2 (cold in manner): this sense is specifically about sexual response, not general personality.

常見錯誤

❌My ex-girlfriend was frigid.
✅My ex-girlfriend and I had different needs around intimacy.
💡the older label blames the woman and is offensive; describe the situation neutrally instead.