thaw

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈθɔː/ 🇺🇸 /ˈθɔ/

📖 Definitions

  1. verb
    To gradually melt, dissolve, or become fluid from a frozen state.; To become warm enough to melt ice or snow; to grow mild after cold weather.; To become more friendly, relaxed, or less reserved after a period of coldness or formality.
  2. noun
    A period of warmer weather that causes ice and snow to melt.; A relaxation or easing of tension, hostility, or formality between parties.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: thaws 3rd sing.: thaws Past: thawed Past part.: thawed Pres part.: thawing

Collocations

a sudden thawthe spring thawthaw outa brief thawthaw the ground

Derivatives

unthaw

Synonyms

meltdefrostunfreezeliquefydissolve

Antonyms

freezecongealsolidify

Commonly confused

melt
EN: 'Melt' is general (any solid becoming liquid from heat); 'thaw' specifically refers to frozen things (ice, snow, frozen food) warming and softening.
defrost
EN: 'Defrost' implies a deliberate action to remove frost or ice (e.g., defrosting a windshield); 'thaw' often describes a more natural or gradual process.

Spelling tips

EN: Avoid using 'unthaw' to mean 'thaw'—logically 'unthaw' would mean to freeze again, though it is sometimes used colloquially with the intended meaning of 'thaw.'

💬 Examples

  1. The ice on the lake began to thaw as spring arrived.

  2. The weather thawed after weeks of bitter cold.

  3. She thawed considerably after a glass of wine and began to laugh freely.

  4. The sudden thaw caused flooding in the low-lying areas.

  5. There was a thaw in relations between the two countries after the summit.