icicle

noun

ici·​cle ˈī-ˌsi-kəl How to pronounce icicle (audio)
1
: a pendent mass of ice formed by the freezing of dripping water
2
: an emotionally cold person
3
: a long narrow strip (as of foil) used to decorate a Christmas tree

Did you know?

Old English gicel, meaning icicle, became Middle English ikyl or ikel and later modern English ickle, which survives as a dialect word in Yorkshire, England. The word for ice in Old English is is, and in a manuscript of about the year 1000 we find Latin stiria, “icicle,” glossed, somewhat redundantly, as ises gicel, that is, “an icicle of ice.” Some 300 years later, in Middle English, this became the compound known today as icicle, which means precisely what it did 1000 years ago.

Examples of icicle in a Sentence

his wife is such an icicle you're lucky to get so much as a greeting from her
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dating back to the 1930's, not only were these glass ornaments coated with a layer of shiny bright colors, they were produced in a variety of shapes such as hearts, bells, and icicles, as well as the traditional baubles. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2024 Cuyahoga National Park’s Ledges Trail is one of America’s most scenic winter hikes due to the dramatic icicles that can form on the rocks. Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2024 Warm white icicle lights: $29.98 Instead of classic white lights, add some whimsy to your holiday season with icicle lights. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024 The Good American co-founder — who shares daughter True, 6, and son Tatum, 2, with her ex Tristan Thompson — posted several photos to her Instagram Stories of her green trees covered in white lights, with large glass accents made to look like dripping icicles. Rachel McRady, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for icicle 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English isikel, from is ice + ikel icicle, from Old English gicel; akin to Old High German ihilla icicle, Middle Irish aig ice

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of icicle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near icicle

Cite this Entry

“Icicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icicle. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

icicle

noun
ici·​cle ˈī-ˌsik-əl How to pronounce icicle (audio)
: a hanging mass of ice formed by the freezing of dripping water

More from Merriam-Webster on icicle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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