frigidity
frigidity Lexical Profile
frigidity Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The state or quality of being intensely cold in temperature.
"The explorers were unprepared for the extreme frigidity of the Arctic winter."
A lack of emotional warmth, affection, or friendliness in manner or behavior; emotional aloofness.
"The diplomat's polite but unmistakable frigidity made negotiations tense and unproductive."
Persistent lack of sexual desire or responsiveness, especially in a woman (now considered dated and often offensive in clinical use).
"Mid-century medical textbooks frequently grouped various female sexual dysfunctions under the broad label of frigidity."
Word Nuance & Usage
In clinical and psychological contexts, using 'frigidity' to describe low sexual desire in women is outdated and often considered pejorative; modern medical terminology favors 'female sexual interest/arousal disorder' or 'hypoactive sexual desire disorder'.
• Rhymes for frigidity
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Late Latin frigiditas ('coldness'), derived from Latin frigidus ('cold, chilly'), from the verb frigere ('to be cold').