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 adverb
iciness noun

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
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.
The pair orbit a significant distance from the icy world, farther out in relation to the dwarf planet's size than expected. Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025 If fruit is in large pieces, thaw slightly and chop while still icy. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025 Travelers can expect to sail past incredible vistas of fjords and towering glaciers, or get their hearts pumping with a requisite polar plunge, diving into the icy waters for the ultimate rush. Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 But for all its stylistic brio and an overall mesmerizing look, in which even throwaway visuals (like the icy corpse of a solider frozen to his battlefield steed) sear themselves into your memory, Frankenstein remains the simple, direct story of a man and his nonbiological offspring. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for icy

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Icy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icy. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

icy

adjective
icier; iciest
1
a
: covered with, full of, or consisting of ice
b
: very cold
icy weather
2
icily adverb
iciness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on icy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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