black ice
Americannoun
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a thin sheet of ice, as on a road surface, usually caused by freezing mist and creating hazardous driving conditions.
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Oceanography. sea ice that is clear enough to show the color of the water underneath.
noun
Etymology
Origin of black ice
An Americanism dating back to 1820–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In neighbouring Hungary, where severe winter conditions have affected a large part of the country since last week, Budapest airport was shut down because of "black ice and extreme icing", the airport said.
From Barron's ● Jan. 13, 2026
There were more than four hours of delays traveling down the mountain because of black ice, coach Robert Maxie said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2024
In Mississippi, the weather has prompted officials to warn drivers to "drive only if necessary" and "be aware of black ice" on the state's roads.
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2024
New Yorkers have been warned that roads could be covered with black ice this weekend.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 20, 2024
Kind of like when you step on black ice and realize you’re going to fall a second before you actually slip.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
