thaw
thaw — verb
- thawpresent simple I / you / we / they
- thawshe / she / it
- thawedpast simple
- thawing-ing form
1. to cause frozen things (ice, snow, or food items) to become no longer frozen whe
to cause frozen things (ice, snow, or food items) to become no longer frozen when the temperature rises, or to change in this way naturally — for example, ice thawing on a pond after a warm day, or a cook thawing frozen chicken for dinner.
The ice on the lake began to thaw after three days of warm rain.
intransitive: ice / snow / permafrost thaws
Kevin forgot to thaw the chicken before putting it in the oven.
transitive: thaw + frozen food object
Esteban took the frozen steak out and left it on the counter to thaw.
The ground thaws quickly once the spring sun gets stronger each day.
Lakshmi thawed the frozen peas in a bowl of warm water for ten minutes.
- melt
wider use — for any solid becoming liquid (ice cream, butter, metal); 'melt' does not necessarily imply it was frozen
- freeze
the opposite process — from liquid to solid because of cold
文法句型
thaw (something)
thaw out
用法筆記
This sense can be used with or without an object. With an object ('thaw the meat'), it means making something unfrozen. Without an object ('the ice thawed'), it describes a natural change. The phrasal verb 'thaw out' is also common in informal speech.
常見錯誤
2. to start acting in a warmer, less guarded way toward someone after a time of col
to start acting in a warmer, less guarded way toward someone after a time of coldness, awkwardness, or distance — for example, two colleagues who had been arguing finally thawing toward each other during a coffee break.
Eli thawed a little after his brother told a silly joke about their shared childhood.
thaw after [something happens]
The relationship between the two neighbours slowly thawed over cups of tea.
Ezra could feel the awkward atmosphere thaw as people started to laugh and talk.
Amira's cold expression began to thaw when her manager praised her work at the meeting.
文法句型
thaw (toward / between)
用法筆記
Often used with 'toward' or 'between' to show the relationship that is warming. Common subjects: atmosphere, tension, silence, coldness, relationship. This sense does not take an object.
常見錯誤
thaw — noun
1. a period of warmer weather that melts ice and snow after a freezing time — for e
a period of warmer weather that melts ice and snow after a freezing time — for example, the first thaw of March turning the snowy streets into muddy puddles.
A sudden thaw in January turned the ski slopes into wet, slushy messes.
a thaw / sudden thaw
The farmers hoped for an early thaw so they could start planting seeds in March.
After the long winter, the spring thaw brought flooding to villages near the river.
Hui checked the weather forecast each morning for any sign of a thaw after the two-week freeze.
- melt
less common as a noun for weather; usually 'the melt' in specific contexts like snowmelt
- freeze
a period of very cold weather when water turns to ice
文法句型
a thaw
the thaw
用法筆記
Often appears as 'the thaw' or 'a thaw' with a modifier ('spring thaw', 'early thaw', 'sudden thaw'). The verb 'thaw' is more common than the noun in everyday speech.
2. an improvement in a tense or unfriendly relationship, making it more relaxed and
an improvement in a tense or unfriendly relationship, making it more relaxed and cooperative — for example, a thaw in relations between two countries that had been arguing over trade.
The trade talks produced a thaw in the long-running dispute between the two nations.
a thaw in [relationship/relations/dispute]
After a month of cold silence, a noticeable thaw began when Marta brought cookies to the office kitchen.
Kian's friendly email started a thaw in the tension that had lingered since their argument.
The student exchange program between Tokyo and Seoul helped bring about a thaw in diplomatic relations.
- rapprochement
formal term specifically for improving international relations
- detente
formal, almost exclusively for political tensions between countries
- cold war
a state of prolonged tension and hostility without open conflict
文法句型
a thaw in [something]
用法筆記
Common in political or diplomatic contexts ('a thaw in relations'). Often found with 'in' to specify the domain where friendliness increases.
3. the process or action of changing from frozen to unfrozen — for example, leaving
the process or action of changing from frozen to unfrozen — for example, leaving frozen meat on the kitchen counter for a slow thaw overnight.
The thaw of the frozen pipes took several hours after the heating came back on.
the thaw of [something]
Wren put the frozen fish in the fridge for a slow overnight thaw.
Rapid thaw in the microwave can leave cold spots in the middle of frozen lasagna.
Eleni read the package instructions to find out how long the turkey would need for a full thaw.
The thaw of the permafrost is a serious concern for scientists who study climate change.
- defrosting
more common for food; less natural for weather or large-scale ice
- freezing
the process of becoming frozen
文法句型
the thaw of [something]
用法筆記
When talking about food, 'defrosting' is more common in everyday speech. 'Thaw' as a noun is more likely in technical or weather contexts ('the thaw of the permafrost').