IPA: /friːz/
KK: /friz/
To become solid or turn into ice due to very low temperatures.
The lake froze over in January.
Past: froze
Past Participle: frozen
A situation where something is kept at a certain level and cannot increase, or a period of very cold weather when water turns to ice.
The city announced a freeze on new hiring to save money.
To make something very cold so that it turns into ice or becomes solid.
We need to freeze the leftovers so they don't spoil.
Past: froze
Past Participle: frozen
Freeze → It originates from Old English 'freosan' (meaning to become solid or hard, especially due to cold). The word 'freeze' means to turn a liquid into a solid by lowering its temperature.
Think of something becoming solid due to cold — that's what freeze means.