French word

refroidir

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəfʁwadiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbcool

Example

Je vais refroidir le café.

I am going to cool the coffee.

Illustration for refroidir (cool)

More examples

Laisse le gâteau refroidir avant de le couper.

Let the cake cool before cutting it.

Core concept

A hot drink or object moves down the temperature scale until its warmth is reduced.

Common phrases

  • refroidir le café

    cool the coffee

  • refroidir la nourriture

    cool the food

Similar words

rafraîchir: To cool a drink or place slightly so it feels somewhat cold.
geler: To turn a liquid into ice by freezing it solid.
congeler: To freeze food below zero so it can be stored.

Definition in French

Diminuer la température d'un corps matériel ou d'un liquide, le rendre moins chaud.

Word origin

The verb developed from the French adjective froid, meaning cold, combined with re- and -ir; froid descends from Latin frigidus.

Usage tips

  • Refroidir generally signals a clear temperature reduction, whereas rafraîchir often suggests making something pleasantly cool or fresh.

Other meanings

  • chillverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word