# icy

/ˈaɪsi/ (US) · /ˈaɪsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/icy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. covered in ice

adjective · CEFR B1

covered with ice, which often makes a surface very slippery.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. extremely cold

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling as cold as ice.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. unfriendly

adjective · CEFR B2

acting in a way that is very cold, distant, or unfriendly.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. wearing expensive jewellery

adjective · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

wearing a lot of expensive, shiny jewellery like diamonds.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The lake is icy in winter.
- She wore a thick coat because the morning air was icy and biting.
- His icy silence during the meeting suggested he was deeply offended by the proposal, though he offered no explanation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.