icy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈī-sē 

icier; iciest

1

a

: covered with, abounding in, or consisting of ice

b

: intensely cold

2

: characterized by coldness : frigid

an icy stare

also : steely

icy nerves

icily

ˈī-sə-lē 

adverb

iciness

ˈī-sē-nəs 

noun

iciness

2 of 2

noun

ic·​i·​ness ˈīsēnəs 

-sin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being icy

her voice carried … a quality of iciness

—Louis Bromfield

Synonyms of icy

Adjective

• frigid
• cold
• freezing
• chilly
• chill
• cool

Examples of icy in a Sentence

Adjective

an icy drink that was especially refreshing on that hot afternoon

she wondered why the salesclerk at the boutique had given her an icy glare

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But there’s no icy chill to his vision, only the glib confidence that a feel-good montage or a piercing Anohni and the Johnsons ballad will blind us to his film’s lack of human connection. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Winter is ending in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning this is the peak of icy weather and sea ice in the Arctic. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026

In winter, some wetlands become more accessible as thick, spongelike layers of organic-rich peat freeze solid and become strong enough to support snow machines on their icy surfaces. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Set against the Swiss Alps, the story follows an Englishman (Spall) found barely alive in an icy mountain stream by local woman Alma (Deleila Piasko) and her young son, Franz. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing icy

• icy cold

Rhymes for icy

• dicey
• pricey
• spicy
• devisee
• theodicy

Kids Definition

icy

adjective

ˈī-sē 

icier; iciest

1

a

: covered with, full of, or consisting of ice

b

: very cold

icy weather

2

: unfriendly sense 1

icily

-sə-lē 

adverb

iciness

-sē-nəs 

noun