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)

capitalized : 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

• algid
• arctic
• bitter
• bone-chilling
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• coldish
• cool
• coolish
• freezing
• frigid
• frosty
• gelid
• ice-cold
• icy
• nipping
• nippy
• numbing
• polar
• shivery
• snappy
• wintry
• wintery

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

The wealth management industry evolves to meet clients’ needs at a glacial but constant pace. —Andres Garcia-Amaya, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Another big part of our lower risk is our geology due to past glacial events. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024

Our fact-check sources: Tom Mortlock, Nov. 6, Email exchange with USA TODAY Ben Hague, Nov. 10-14, Email exchange with USA TODAY NOAA, April 19, 2022, Climate Change: Global Sea Level NOAA, accessed Nov. 21, What is glacial isostatic adjustment? —Kate S. Petersen, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Nov. 2024

Clear walls offer uninterrupted views of glacial icefalls and the shimmering frozen lake just outside, giving guests the ultimate front-row seat to nature’s icy masterpiece. —Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin glacialis, from glacies

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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