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Definition of unthaw

unthaw

/ʌnˈθɔː/
un · thaw
Adjective:unthawed
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Past Simple:unthawed
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Past Participle:unthawed
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Present Participle:unthawing
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unthaw Lexical Profile

unthaw Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

North American To thaw or defrost from a frozen state; to cause or allow something frozen to melt or warm up.

Example

"Remember to take the chicken out of the freezer so it has time to unthaw before dinner."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for unthaw
Antonyms
View all antonyms for unthaw

Word Nuance & Usage

Although "unthaw" logically looks as if it should mean "to freeze," it is used almost exclusively in informal North American English as a synonym for "thaw" or "defrost" (much like "unloosen" means "loosen"). In formal writing, "thaw" or "defrost" is preferred to avoid ambiguity.

• Rhymes for unthaw

• Nearby Words

untethered
unthanked
unthankful
unthaw
unthawed
unthinkable
unthinkably

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century from the prefix un- (used as an intensifier or by analogy with verbs of releasing like "unbind" and "unfreeze") plus the verb thaw, from Old English thāwian.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unthaw. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unthaw
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