thaw

To become warmer so that ice melts or frozen food becomes soft.

• The snow began to thaw.
• I thawed the chicken in the fridge.
• Has the ground thawed enough to dig?

How to use it: thaw out (Leave the frozen bread to thaw out.)

Similar words: defrost, melt

Opposites: freeze

Common phrases: thaw out, thaw frozen food, thaw in something, begin to thaw

To become less unfriendly or angry and begin to feel more relaxed with others.

• He thawed when she smiled.
• Her anger slowly thawed during their conversation.
• After a few jokes, our host began to thaw.

How to use it: thaw towards someone (She gradually thawed towards her new neighbours.)

Similar words: soften, warm up

Common phrases: begin to thaw, thaw towards someone, finally thaw

A period of warmer weather when ice and snow start to melt.

• The thaw began in March.
• A sudden thaw caused the river to rise.
• We expect another thaw before winter ends.

Similar words: melting

Opposites: freeze

Common phrases: spring thaw, sudden thaw, winter thaw

An improvement in a relationship after a period of anger, disagreement, or unfriendly behaviour.

• Their meeting led to a thaw.
• A thaw in relations allowed trade to resume.
• The sisters' letters suggested a thaw between them.

How to use it: a thaw in something (The visit brought a thaw in relations.); a thaw between A and B (There was a thaw between the two former rivals.)

Similar words: warming, rapprochement

Common phrases: thaw in relations, diplomatic thaw, thaw between countries