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 of icy

• frigid
• cold
• freezing
• 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

The look is finished off with an icy translucent rubber outsole. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025

There’s a reason why the enemies-to-lovers trope is so popular in the romance book community, and Bailey and Ashley only helped further prove it as their icy onscreen clashes slowly melted into a fiery (and definitely temperature-raising) romance. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025

Take a hike to one of the icy-blue glacial lakes that pepper the region. —Ally Jaksen, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025

These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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