Meaning

• Especially of a liquid, to become solid due to low temperature.

  "The lake froze solid."

• To lower something's temperature to the point that it freezes or becomes hard.

  "Don't freeze meat twice."

• To drop to a temperature below zero degrees celsius, where water turns to ice.

  "It didn't freeze this winter, but last winter was very harsh."

• To be affected by extreme cold.

  "Don't go outside wearing just a t-shirt; you'll freeze!"

• (of machines and software) To come to a sudden halt, stop working (functioning).

  "Since the last update, the program freezes / freezes up after a few minutes of use."

• (of people and other animals) To stop (become motionless) or be stopped due to attentiveness, fear, surprise, etc.

  "Despite all of the rehearsals, I froze up as soon as I got on stage."

• To cause someone to become motionless.

• To lose or cause to lose warmth of feeling; to shut out; to ostracize.

  "Over time, he froze towards her, and ceased to react to her friendly advances."

• To cause loss of animation or life in, from lack of heat; to give the sensation of cold to; to chill.

• To prevent the movement or liquidation of a person's financial assets

  "The court froze the criminal's bank account."

• Of prices, spending etc., to keep at the same level, without any increase.