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 adverb
iciness noun

Examples of icy in a Sentence

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Pan said after his race on Wednesday that American and Australian swimmers had been icy toward him. Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024 The combination of human pressures and an icier coast may have eventually driven blue whales offshore. Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024 The case is in platinum, giving the icy dial an even icier outline. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 May 2024 The sun mask is heat, flame-heavy by nature, while the moon mask has an icier look and feel. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for icy 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of icy was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near icy

Cite this Entry

“Icy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icy. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

icy

adjective
icier; iciest
1
a
: covered with, full of, or consisting of ice
b
: very cold
icy weather
2
icily adverb
iciness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on icy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!