Meaning
- Thaw can be used as both a verb and a noun.
- Verb: To become free of ice, to melt, or to warm up. It can also mean to become friendlier or less hostile.
- Noun: The process of melting or becoming warmer; a period of improved relations.
Grammar and Usage
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Verb (intransitive/transitive):
- The ice thawed quickly in the sun. (intransitive)
- She thawed the frozen meat before cooking. (transitive)
-
Noun:
- The spring thaw caused flooding in the valley.
- There was a political thaw between the two countries.
Common Phrases
- spring thaw – the seasonal melting of ice and snow.
- thaw relations – to improve or normalize relations between people or countries.
- thaw out – to become unfrozen or to warm up.
Collocations
- thaw completely / gradually
- thaw relations / tensions
- thaw frozen food
- after the thaw
- political thaw
Examples
- The lake began to thaw as the weather warmed.
- She left the chicken on the counter to thaw.
- After years of conflict, the two nations experienced a diplomatic thaw.
- I need to thaw the ice before I can open the freezer.
- His cold attitude began to thaw after he heard her apology.
- The early spring thaw flooded the fields.
- It will take a few hours for the frozen vegetables to thaw completely.
- The meeting signaled a thaw in trade negotiations.
Synonyms or Related
- melt
- defrost
- soften
- unfreeze
- warm up