icy

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

Synonyms

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

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

For the Paris premiere, Kardashian wore an icy blue, body-hugging gown from Christian Dior’s spring 2000 collection by John Galliano—and later that night, slipped into a molten gold corset from Alexander McQueen’s summer 1997 Givenchy couture collection to celebrate her 45th birthday. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025

Those stories kept the massive, icy North American territory in his mind until this year. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025

But what about a thick, icy layer covering a pint in the supermarket freezer? —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025

Kardashian’s dress was a floor-length evening gown in an icy blue-green satin fabric with a subtle floral pattern. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing icy

• icy cold

Rhymes for icy

• dicey
• lycee
• pricey
• spicy
• 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