ice
ys
Ice (noun) means Water that has frozen solid. Example: “Be careful, there is ice on the path outside.”
noun
1
Water that has frozen solid.
"Be careful, there is ice on the path outside."
"The pond froze over into a thick sheet of ice."
"She put ice in her drink to cool it down."
2
A cold, unfriendly manner or atmosphere between people.
"There was ice in her voice when she answered the question."
"A layer of ice settled over the meeting when the manager walked in."
"There was ice between the two rivals after the argument."
3
Icing or frosting on a cake or pastry.
"She spread pink ice over the top of each cupcake."
"The cake was covered in a thick layer of white ice."
"The bakery piped a thin layer of ice over the buns."
verb
1
To cover a cake with icing or frosting.
"He iced the birthday cake and added the candles."
"Mum iced the cupcakes and let the children add sprinkles."
"She iced the cake with a smooth layer of white frosting."
2
To cool something by packing it in or around ice.
"The nurse told her to ice the ankle for twenty minutes."
"Ice the bottles in a bucket before the guests arrive."
"He iced his sore knee after the match."
3
(slang) To kill someone.
"The movie villain threatens to ice anyone who betrays him."
How to use ice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFrozen water, or by extension, coldness — literal (a cold drink) or figurative (a cold reception).
Memory tip
"Break the ice" means to ease tension at the start of a social situation.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
break the ice
ice cold
on ice
ice a cake
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Word forms
- Plural
- ices
- Third person singular
- ices
- Past tense
- iced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful, there is _____ on the path outside.
Etymology
From Old English is, going back to a very old Germanic root for "ice" or "frost."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ice
See all rhymes for ice →Frequently asked questions
What does “ice” mean?
The word “ice” means water that has frozen solid. In plain terms, frozen water, or by extension, coldness — literal (a cold drink) or figurative (a cold reception).
How do you pronounce “ice”?
“Ice” is pronounced ys (/aɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ice” in a sentence?
Here is “ice” used in a sentence: “The pond froze over into a thick sheet of ice.”
What part of speech is “ice”?
Depending on how it is used, “ice” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ice” come from?
The word “ice” comes from Old English. From Old English is, going back to a very old Germanic root for "ice" or "frost.".
Is “ice” a common word?
“Ice” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “ice” have?
“Ice” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: water that has frozen solid.
At what temperature does water freeze into ice?
Under normal conditions, fresh water freezes into ice at 0 degrees Celsius, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding salt or other substances lowers this freezing point, which is why salt is spread on icy roads. Pure water can even stay liquid slightly below zero if it is very still.
Why does ice float on water?
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water. When water freezes, its molecules lock into an open, ordered structure that takes up more space, so a given amount of ice weighs less than the same volume of water. This unusual property lets ice form on top of lakes and seas.
What is the difference between ice and frost?
Ice is water that has frozen into a solid mass, such as a cube or a sheet on a pond. Frost is a thin, feathery layer of ice crystals that forms directly from water vapor onto cold surfaces like grass or windows. Frost is essentially ice in delicate crystal form.
What happens to ice when it melts?
When ice is warmed above its freezing point, it melts back into liquid water, absorbing heat as it changes state. Its temperature stays at 0 degrees Celsius until all the ice has melted. This is why ice cools drinks so well — it draws heat from its surroundings as it turns to water.
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