icing

American  

[ahy-sing] / ˈaɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. a sweet, creamy spread, as of confectioners' sugar, butter, and flavoring, for covering cakes, cookies, etc.; frosting.

2. Meteorology. a coating of ice on a solid object.

3. Aviation. the freezing of atmospheric moisture on the surface of an aircraft.

4. Ice Hockey. the act of a player shooting the puck from the defensive half of the rink over the opponent's goal line, but not into the goal, as a defensive maneuver to keep the puck out of the reach of attacking opponents, resulting in a penalty against the defensive team if the puck is then next touched by an opponent other than the goalkeeper.

---

idioms

1. icing on the cake. frosting.

icing British  

/ ˈaɪsɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called (esp US and Canadian): frosting.  a sugar preparation, variously flavoured and coloured, for coating and decorating cakes, biscuits, etc

2. the formation of ice, as on a ship or aircraft, due to the freezing of moisture in the atmosphere

3. any unexpected extra or bonus (esp in icing on the cake )

---

Etymology

Origin of icing

First recorded in 1760–70; ice + -ing ¹

Explanation

Icing is the creamy, sweet stuff you use to frost a cake — you can also call it "frosting." Some people like the cake part of a cupcake, and others just like to lick off the icing. If you're over five, that's really not acceptable. Most icing consists of powdered sugar mixed with butter, margarine, cream cheese, or egg whites. In fact, in Britain, powdered sugar is called "icing sugar." Colloquially, you can describe something as the "icing on the cake," meaning it's not vital, but it's a positive addition: "After such a great day, finding that fifty dollar bill on the ground was just the icing on the cake!"

Example Sentences

“When we found out about the 24% service charge, it was just sort of icing on the cake,” Auerbach said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“The fact that we now have an American pope is the icing on the cake,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

The signing of design legend Adrian Newey was expected to be the icing on the cake.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Tensions were calmed quickly, and scorecards revealed the knockout was the icing on the cake for Figueroa, who was ahead of two of the three scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Without even thinking, she popped Tony’s hand as he was about to swipe a fingerful of icing from a cake.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• cream
• glaze