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

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

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

Her makeup, too, was equally icy, with a metallic silvery-white shadow brushed under her brow as a highlight and dramatic black eyeliner winged all the way out to the outer corner of her brows, plus a pair of light blue-gray contacts enhanced by majorly fluttery, lush lashes. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Dec. 2024

White cautioned those traveling north of Indianapolis this weekend, however, should be mindful of potentially snowier, icier road conditions. —Christopher Cann, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Nov. 2024

Pan said after his race on Wednesday that American and Australian swimmers had been icy toward him. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024

The combination of human pressures and an icier coast may have eventually driven blue whales offshore. —Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing icy

• icy cold

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