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frigidity

frigidity

1 8.1
A lack of warmth or friendliness in how someone acts
  • noun
  • /frɪˈdʒɪdəti/
translation icon : frialdad
  • Despite their previous friendship, his frigidity towards her left her feeling rejected.

Examples

  • I'm guessing there must be some nuance to the deals that were struck, but I can see why that would lead to a certain frigidity towards the publisher in question.

    Blog text (34)
  • She was never certain whether it was these fantasies, scholarly passion, or the frigidity of her flat that caused her lips to tremble.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "You thought of an abominable frigidity."

    Academic text (2007)
  • There seems to be a kind of force field between the anthropologist and her or his subject matter, making it impossible for her or him to come close to it, a kind of religious frigidity.

    Academic text (1992)
  • What is Marnie, for example, if not an exploration of frigidity disguised as a baroque romance?

    Blog text (18)
  • This indifference flaunted by the object, its frigidity or its fear, will, he believes, increase tenfold its pleasure when subjected to his erotic maneuvers.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Her frigidity during the meeting made it clear that she disapproved of the proposal.

  • They often noticed a sense of frigidity in the office, which made teamwork challenging.

Synonyms

coldness
vsfrigidity
7 3.2

Lack of warmth or friendliness in someone's behaviour

emphasizes the overall lack of warmth and affection rather than context
coolness
vsfrigidity
3 5.5

A distant, unfriendly way of acting that shows little feeling

is about absence of warmth and affectionate feeling in general
iciness
vsfrigidity
1 5.8

A cold, unfriendly feeling between people

focuses on the general absence of warmth and affection
chilliness
vsfrigidity
1 4.4

A cold, unfriendly way someone behaves and speaks

is the broader idea of lacking warmth or affection overall
unfriendliness
vsfrigidity
1 3.9

A cold, not kind way of behaving toward other people

is similar but highlights absence of affection as well as friendliness
lukewarmness
vsfrigidity
1 6.3

A way of being only a little warm or not very excited

indicates a stronger absence of warmth or affection rather than mild feeling
frigidness
vsfrigidity
7.0

Lack of warmth or affection in a person's behavior

is the main label for that lack of warmth or affection
frigid demeanor
vsfrigidity
7.8

A way of behaving that is cold and unfriendly

is the general condition of lacking warmth, not only outward manner
coldheartedness
vsfrigidity
7.6

Not caring about other people

is broader, covering lack of warmth and affection beyond moral concern

Antonyms

288 2.2

A strong feeling of excitement and interest in something

103 1.0

A friendly, kind feeling in the way someone speaks or acts

How Warm

affection
317 1.4
warmth
103 1.0
friendliness
16 1.0
reserve
9 5.2
frigidity
1 8.1
coldness
7 3.2
aloofness
4 7.2

Surface Forms

frigidity singular
frigidities plural

Morphology

frigidity = frigid (semi-transparent) = frigid + ity

Derived from 'frigid' with a metaphorical extension from physical coldness to emotional coldness; the connection is inferable but relies on a figurative sense.

Etymology

Frigidity comes from the Latin word frigidus which means 'cold'. That is why frigidity can describe a lack of warmth or feeling in a person's manner, meaning they seem emotionally 'cold' or distant.