Frosted

Frosted is the past participle of frost, and an adjective describing something that has been coated with frost or has a frosted appearance. In meteorology and everyday observation, surfaces such as grass, windows, or landscapes become frosted when water vapor freezes into ice crystals at temperatures below freezing, often created by radiative cooling overnight. Frosted surfaces typically form frost crystals that diffuse light, leaving a white or pale appearance and sometimes altering texture.

In culinary contexts, frosting (also called icing) is a sweet glaze or cream spread applied to baked goods. When a cake, cookie, or pastry is described as frosted, it means it has been decorated with frosting. Frosting varieties include buttercream, cream cheese, ganache, and royal icing, differing in flavor, texture, and method of application.

In materials and architecture, frosted describes a glass finish created by sandblasting or chemical etching to produce a translucent, matte surface. Frosted glass obscures visibility while still letting light pass through, used for privacy in windows and decorative panels. The term also appears in product finishes and packaging to indicate a matte or smeared surface.

Frosted can also describe a finish on materials. In glassmaking and interior design, frosted glass is produced by sandblasting or chemical etching to create a translucent, matte surface that obscures detail while still letting light through. The term can also appear in fashion as a frosted effect on hair or textiles, indicating lighter, frost-like coloration at certain sections.