icily

American  

[ahy-suh-lee] / ˈaɪ sə li /

adverb

1. in an icy manner.

   I received him icily because of the harsh way he had treated me.

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icily British  

/ ˈaɪsɪlɪ /

adverb

1. in an icy or reserved manner

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Other Word Forms

• iciness noun

Etymology

Origin of icily

First recorded in 1840–50; icy + -ly

Example Sentences

Whatever turns Mr. Boorman’s career took, though, “Point Blank” remains icily distinctive for finding a wholly fresh way into an old theme.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Caroline hugs Ken, and after icily embracing Shiv, kicks off a baby reveal exchange for the ages.

From Salon • May 22, 2023

Sean Connery carried it off with icily disdainful style, perhaps at the baccarat table, in full evening dress with a cigarette hanging from his lips.

From The Guardian • Aug. 25, 2020

“It’s a little bit of gamesmanship, we’ll call it,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts told reporters, icily.

From New York Times • Jul. 26, 2020

“Last time I checked, you called Yakov’s death an accident,” I said icily.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros