icier; iciest
1
a
: covered with, abounding in, or consisting of ice
b
: intensely cold
Synonyms
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
Living in extremely icy Arctic ocean environments, they are known for their long lifespans, which are often associated with slow metabolism and maturation.
—
Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2023
The reception by the press at the conference was reportedly icy.
—WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023
Gaffigan plays a dual role: Cameron Edwin, a good-hearted educational TV host whose career and family life have been slowly deteriorating for years; and Kent Armstrong, a more successful but much icier man, who moves across the street from Cam.
—Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2023
But soon, icier colors and stripe patterns seep into their wardrobe as Louis begins to feel like an animal caged by his affection for his creator, lover and abuser.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 9 June 2023
Although these natural satellites should have formed from the same feedstock of material and thus have similar compositions, density measurements suggest that Callisto and Ganymede are far icier than Europa, while Io has no ice at all.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2023
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), polar vortexes on Earth typically only pose a threat to us when temperatures get near or below freezing, or when a polar vortex expands and pushes icy Arctic air into climates that don’t usually get freezing weather.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 10 Mar. 2023
Road conditions have improved, but residential streets and alleys are still too icy.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas News, 2 Feb. 2023
Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy.
—The Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2023
See More
Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2023
The reception by the press at the conference was reportedly icy.
—WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023
Gaffigan plays a dual role: Cameron Edwin, a good-hearted educational TV host whose career and family life have been slowly deteriorating for years; and Kent Armstrong, a more successful but much icier man, who moves across the street from Cam.
—Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2023
But soon, icier colors and stripe patterns seep into their wardrobe as Louis begins to feel like an animal caged by his affection for his creator, lover and abuser.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 9 June 2023
Although these natural satellites should have formed from the same feedstock of material and thus have similar compositions, density measurements suggest that Callisto and Ganymede are far icier than Europa, while Io has no ice at all.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2023
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), polar vortexes on Earth typically only pose a threat to us when temperatures get near or below freezing, or when a polar vortex expands and pushes icy Arctic air into climates that don’t usually get freezing weather.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 10 Mar. 2023
Road conditions have improved, but residential streets and alleys are still too icy.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas News, 2 Feb. 2023
Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy.
—The Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'icy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Phrases Containing icy
Articles Related to icy
Dictionary Entries Near icy
Cite this Entry
“Icy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icy. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
icy
adjective
icier; iciest
1
a
: covered with, full of, or consisting of ice
b
: very cold
icy weather
More from Merriam-Webster on icy
Nglish: Translation of icy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of icy for Arabic Speakers
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