froze
word · lemma: freeze
Definition
'Froze' is the past tense of 'freeze', meaning something became very cold and turned solid, usually because of low temperatures. It can also mean someone suddenly stopped moving, often because of fear or surprise.
Usage & Nuances
'Froze' is used for both literal (temperature) and figurative (sudden stillness) meanings. Collocates with 'water', 'pipes', or 'in fear'. Don't confuse it with 'be cold' (which means feeling cold, not becoming solid). Often heard in stories or describing reactions.
Example Sentences
The water in the lake froze last night.
basic
He froze when he saw the big spider.
basic
My computer froze and I had to restart it.
natural
She froze in fear when the dog barked loudly at her.
natural
I completely froze during the presentation and forgot my words.
natural
I froze my leftover pizza for later.
basic