Meaning & use
frost nip
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountablemedical
A mild cold injury to the skin, especially on exposed areas like fingers, toes, ears, or nose, caused by freezing temperatures.
Grammar: Uncountable: you say 'frost nip', not 'a frost nip'.
Patterns
- get frost nip
- suffer from frost nip
- signs of frost nip
Hikers should watch for frost nip on their cheeks and fingers.
Frost nip causes numbness and a pale color in the affected area.
If you suspect frost nip, warm the skin gradually.
Common combinations
- frost nip on the fingers
- He got frost nip on his fingers after shoveling snow without gloves.
- treat frost nip
- To treat frost nip, move indoors and use warm water.
- prevent frost nip
- Wearing mittens can help prevent frost nip.
Synonyms and how they differ
- frostbite
- Frostbite is more severe; it freezes deeper tissues and can cause permanent damage, while frost nip only affects the surface.
Commonly confused: frost nip or frostbite?
frost nip vs frostbite
Frostbite is a serious injury where body tissues freeze; frost nip is a milder, reversible condition.
Practice
What is the best way to describe 'frost nip'?
Choose one answer.
Frost nip is a mild cold injury, not a severe one like frostbite, nor a plant condition or tool.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “frost nip”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.