unfreeze

Elementary (A2)

IPA: /ʌnˈfriːz/

KK: /ʌnˈfriz/

transitive verb

Definition

To make something that was frozen become liquid or to remove a restriction on something.

Example

I need to unfreeze the chicken before cooking it.

Tense Forms

Past: unfroze

Past Participle: unfrozen

Conversation

Do you think we should unfreeze the leftovers from last week?

Yeah, that sounds good! They're probably still fine to eat.

I hope they taste okay after being in the freezer for so long.

They should be fine — just let them sit out a bit to fully unfreeze.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

thaw

release

liberate

Antonyms

freeze

restrict

confine

Root Explanation

Unfreeze → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not or opposite of) and "freeze" (from Old English "freosan", meaning to become frozen or to congeal). The word "unfreeze" means to reverse the process of freezing, or to make something not frozen.

Memory Tip

Think of 'un-' meaning not or the opposite, and 'freeze' meaning to become solid due to cold. This helps you remember that 'unfreeze' means to make something not frozen.

Visually Confused Words