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

They live in a silo for two, sharing their pain, icing their scars.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Your Social Security is the icing on the proverbial retirement cake.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

"But if all our instruments are powered up, and we can do important testing and calibration of the science instruments, that would be the icing on the cake."

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

"To make a bike for that kind of challenge is amazing, and the fact they've managed to get 11 grand for the tandem is the icing on the cake," said Mercian mechanic Bob Smith.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

I licked icing off a spoon and put it in the dishwasher.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks

Related Words

• cream
• glaze