frostig

Frostig is an adjective used in German and some other Germanic languages to describe frost-related conditions. It primarily denotes cold temperatures, surfaces covered with frost, or weather that is chilly and wintry. In addition to literal meaning, frostig can describe a distant or unfriendly demeanor, such as a frostige Begrüßung (a frosty greeting) or a frostig mood.

Etymology and cognates suggest a common Germanic origin. Frostig derives from the noun frost, with the productive adjective suffix -ig. The sense is closely related to similar terms in related languages, including Swedish and Norwegian, which use frostig to convey a frosty or icy quality. The root concept is broadly shared across the Germanic family, linking weather descriptions with metaphorical coldness.

Usage notes and examples. In German, frostig can be used predicatively, as in Es ist frostig draußen (It is frosty outside). Attributively, it appears with appropriate inflection, for example, ein frostiger Morgen (a frosty morning) or frostige Scheiben (frosty panes). The term is common in meteorological description, everyday speech, and literary language. Metaphorically, frostig is used to convey aloofness, reserve, or a lack of warmth in social contexts.

See also. Frost, frostiness, cold weather, weather terminology in German, German adjectives.