glacial

adjective

gla·​cial ˈglā-shəl 

1

: suggestive of ice: such as

a

: extremely cold : frigid

a glacial wind

b

: devoid of warmth and cordiality

a glacial handshake

c

: coldly imperturbable

maintained a glacial calm

2

: of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals

glacial acetic acid

3

a(1)

: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present

(2)

Glacial : pleistocene

b

: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers

c

: suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers

progress on the bill has been glacial

glacially

ˈglā-shə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of glacial

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

Examples of glacial in a Sentence

Progress on the bill has been glacial.

a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend

Recent Examples on the Web

Satellite images were also used to evaluate glacial thinning in the area, which, the team concluded, was the root cause of the Tracy Arms event. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 May 2026

Fillenwarth Beach Resort, Arnolds Park Northwest Iowa's Okoboji revolves around the remarkably clear glacial lakes that form the Iowa Great Lakes region—an irresistible vacation destination. —Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 9 May 2026

Guests contrast bathe indoors and outdoors in pools filled with glacial meltwater overlooking the lake. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026

Travelers chasing contrast bathing benefits should look for properties with both hot and cold options on site — geothermal pools paired with cold plunges, river access or glacial water. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin glacialis, from glacies

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for glacial

• facial
• racial
• spacial
• spatial
• bifacial
• biracial
• palatial
• postglacial
• preglacial
• subglacial
• craniofacial
• interfacial

Kids Definition

glacial

adjective

gla·​cial ˈglā-shəl 

1

a

: extremely cold : frigid

b

: lacking warmth of feeling

2

a

: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers

b

: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time when a large portion of the earth was covered by glaciers

c

capitalized : pleistocene