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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The suit, filed Aug. 2 in Deschutes County Circuit Court, alleges conditions on the day of Brecken’s death were extremely icy and the chairlift and ski runs near the summit should not have been open. 
Garrett Andrews, oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2022 But Elle’s most vicious spats are with the institute’s domineering director, Jan Stevens (a supremely icy Gwendoline Christie), who, as the group’s wealthy patron, insists on maintaining a level of creative input. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy. Brook Endale, The Enquirer, 2 Feb. 2022 The parking lot can be extremely icy as well, so use caution. oregonlive, 28 Jan. 2022 Since then, river conditions have been too icy to boat, but not firm enough for snowmachine travel to reach the group. Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Nov. 2021 Snow, gusty winds and icy roads: Be on the lookout for a cold storm. Arlene Martinez, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2020 The hour drive from the city across the Sinaloa countryside took us through small towns with brightly colored houses and taquerias and green trees that made the icy, drab gray of home feel worlds away. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 18 Mar. 2020 The storm is on the move Friday evening, causing whiteouts and spinouts on icy highways throughout the Midwest, where blizzard warnings are now in effect. Adriana Diaz, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2020 See More
Garrett Andrews, oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2022 But Elle’s most vicious spats are with the institute’s domineering director, Jan Stevens (a supremely icy Gwendoline Christie), who, as the group’s wealthy patron, insists on maintaining a level of creative input. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy. Brook Endale, The Enquirer, 2 Feb. 2022 The parking lot can be extremely icy as well, so use caution. oregonlive, 28 Jan. 2022 Since then, river conditions have been too icy to boat, but not firm enough for snowmachine travel to reach the group. Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Nov. 2021 Snow, gusty winds and icy roads: Be on the lookout for a cold storm. Arlene Martinez, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2020 The hour drive from the city across the Sinaloa countryside took us through small towns with brightly colored houses and taquerias and green trees that made the icy, drab gray of home feel worlds away. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 18 Mar. 2020 The storm is on the move Friday evening, causing whiteouts and spinouts on icy highways throughout the Midwest, where blizzard warnings are now in effect. Adriana Diaz, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing icy
Kids Definition
icy
adjective
ˈī-sē
icier; iciest
1
: covered with, full of, or being ice
icy roads
2
: very cold
an icy wind
3
: unfriendly sense 1
an icy look
icy
adjective
1
as in frigid
having a low or subnormal temperature an icy drink that was especially refreshing on that hot afternoon Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- frigid
- cold
- freezing
- chilly
- chill
- cool
- arctic
- frosty
- glacial
- wintry
- polar
- shivery
- bitter
- ice-cold
- gelid
- numbing
- chilled
- wintery
- cooled
- bone-chilling
- coldish
- nippy
- brisk
- coolish
- algid
- subzero
- nipping
- crisp
- frozen
- cryogenic
- snappy
- subfreezing
- iced
- ultracold
- penetrating
- piercing
- cutting
- frosted
- invigorating
- bracing
- unheated
- sharp
- refrigerated
- rigorous
- keen
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hot
- fiery
- molten
- warming
- igneous
- sultry
- boiling
- sweltering
- scorching
- seething
- blazing
- warm
- burning
- glowing
- scalding
- torrid
- tepid
- fervid
- searing
- sizzling
- broiling
- lukewarm
- ardent
- fervent
- heated
- warmed
- roasting
- overheated
- white-hot
- toasty
- tropical
- ultrahot
- red-hot
- piping hot
- feverish
- reheated
- snug
- equatorial
- inflamed
- muggy
- steamy
- summery
- flushed
- enflamed
- canicular
2
as in cold
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling she wondered why the salesclerk at the boutique had given her an icy glare Synonyms & Similar Words
- frigid
- cold
- chilly
- arctic
- frozen
- cool
- brittle
- chill
- frosty
- wintry
- glacial
- gelid
- reserved
- clammy
- wintery
- unfriendly
- coldish
- detached
- antiseptic
- unsympathetic
- pitiless
- hard-eyed
- uncaring
- cold-eyed
- uncordial
- heartless
- unfeeling
- unemotional
- coldhearted
- cold-blooded
- soulless
- aloof
- unresponsive
- bloodless
- undemonstrative
- impersonal
- indifferent
- dispassionate
- unenthusiastic
- uninterested
- apathetic
- standoffish
- offish
- hard-hearted
- antisocial
- unsociable
- kindless
- unsocial
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- warm
- sympathetic
- cordial
- friendly
- genial
- happy
- hearty
- emotional
- kind
- compassionate
- warm-blooded
- expressive
- warmhearted
- eager
- demonstrative
- enthusiastic
- kindhearted
- passionate