Word
icy
US/ˈaɪsi/
UK/ˈaɪsi/
Definitions
01covered in ice
B1 · Intermediate
adj. covered with ice, which often makes a surface very slippery.
adj. covered with or consisting of ice; frequently used to describe hazardous road or path conditions.
“Be careful walking outside because the pavement is very icy this morning.”
“The highway patrol issued a warning after several vehicles skidded on the icy patches that had formed overnight in the shaded sections of the pass.”
02extremely cold
B1 · Intermediate
adj. feeling as cold as ice.
adj. characterised by extreme coldness, often in relation to water or wind.
“She jumped into the icy water for a quick swim.”
“An icy wind swept across the moor, forcing the hikers to seek shelter behind the stone ruins of an old cottage.”
03unfriendly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. acting in a way that is very cold, distant, or unfriendly.
adj. characterised by a lack of warmth or affection; frigid or hostile in manner.
“He gave me an icy stare when I interrupted his meeting.”
“The atmosphere in the boardroom remained icy throughout the negotiations, as neither side was willing to make the first concession.”
04wearing expensive jewellery
C1 · Advanced American English · Slang
adj. wearing a lot of expensive, shiny jewellery like diamonds.
adj. adorned with an abundance of high-quality, expensive jewellery, particularly diamonds that sparkle like ice.
“The rapper showed up to the awards show looking totally icy.”
“He walked onto the stage looking incredibly icy, with diamond chains that caught every light in the auditorium.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'iced out' or simply as 'icy' to describe a person's appearance.
Synonyms
Etymology
From ice + -y; cf. Old English īsiġ.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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