noun
icicle
YS-ihkl
Icicle (noun) means a thin, tapering spike of ice formed when dripping water freezes as it falls. Example: “Icicles hung from the gutter after the overnight frost.”
noun
1
A thin, tapering spike of ice formed when dripping water freezes as it falls.
"Icicles hung from the gutter after the overnight frost."
"He snapped an icicle off the fence and held it like a sword."
How to use icicle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hanging spike of ice, usually formed by dripping water freezing in cold weather.
Common pairings
icicles forming
an icicle dripping
razor-sharp icicle
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Word forms
- Plural
- icicles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ hung from the gutter after the overnight frost.
Etymology
From Old English is ("ice") plus ickle, an old word for a small point of ice — the two fused into one word over time.
Rhymes for icicle
See all rhymes for icicle →Frequently asked questions
What does “icicle” mean?
The word “icicle” means a thin, tapering spike of ice formed when dripping water freezes as it falls. In plain terms, a hanging spike of ice, usually formed by dripping water freezing in cold weather.
How do you pronounce “icicle”?
“Icicle” is pronounced YS-ihkl (/ˈʌɪsəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “icicle” in a sentence?
Here is “icicle” used in a sentence: “Icicles hung from the gutter after the overnight frost.”
What part of speech is “icicle”?
“Icicle” is a noun.
Where does the word “icicle” come from?
The word “icicle” comes from Old English. From Old English is ("ice") plus ickle, an old word for a small point of ice — the two fused into one word over time.
