Meanings
plural frost fairs · alternative obsolete frost faire
- A winter event held on top of frosty, frozen, or snow-covered ground, or on a frozen body of water. It typically consists of a variety of vendors and various hands-on games, sports, or rides.
The food was great at this year's frost fair. Lots of people were out skating and sledding.
Synonyms: snow festival, winter carnival
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA winter event held on top of frosty, frozen, or snow-covered ground, or on a frozen body of water. It typically consists of a variety of vendors and various hands-on games, sports, or rides.
Origin
The first known use of the term frost fair dates back to an event held on the frozen River Thames in London, England in 1608. The term frost faire was also used during that time. (see River Thames frost fairs for more information)
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese 冰凍博覽會 /冰冻博览会
- 冰凍博覽會 /冰冻博览会Translations
Czech ledový jarmark
- ledový jarmarkTranslations
Danish frostmarked
- frostmarkedTranslations
Dutch vorst beurs
- vorst beursTranslations
French foire gel
- foire gelTranslations
German frostjahrmarkt
- frostjahrmarktTranslations
Japanese 霜祭り
- 霜祭りTranslations
Russian морозная ярмарка
- морозная ярмарка (moroznaja jarmarka)Translations
Spanish feria helada
- feria heladaTranslations
Swedish frostmarknad
- frostmarknadTranslations
Cite this entry
frost fair. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/frost%20fair
“frost fair.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/frost%20fair. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “frost fair,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/frost%20fair.
Source: frost fair on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.