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Synonyms

icy

American  
[ahy-see] / ˈaɪ si /

adjective

icier, iciest
  1. made of, full of, or covered with ice.

    icy roads.

  2. resembling ice.

  3. cold.

    icy winds.

  4. without warmth of feeling; coldly unfriendly; frigid.

    an icy stare.

    Synonyms:
    chilly, cool, distant, cold

icy British  
/ ˈaɪsɪ /

adjective

  1. made of, covered with, or containing ice

  2. resembling ice

  3. freezing or very cold

  4. cold or reserved in manner; aloof

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of icy

before 900; Middle English isy, Old English īsig. See ice, -y 1

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.

New Zealand also said it would buy extra-long-range Airbus A321s, which will be able to fly a round trip to Antarctica without landing—a key capability if icy conditions make landing there impossible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

A polar bear cub travels the icy Svalbard coast with its mother.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

During President Obama’s first term, when the U.S. and Cuba initially made attempts to thaw our icy relationship, I visited the island country as part of an educational delegation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

On icy moons, water and ice play that same role.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

In a flash, his entire demeanor changed from calm and friendly to icy and dangerous.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste