What does ice mean?
Ice is the solid form of water, and as an uncountable noun it refers both to frozen water in bulk and to small pieces used in drinks or for cooling. In countable contexts, especially in American English, an ice can also mean a small serving of a frozen dessert. The related verb means to cool something with ice, to freeze it, or to become covered with a layer of ice. Expressions such as “break the ice” use the word metaphorically to mean to overcome the awkwardness that may exist when people first meet. “On thin ice” similarly describes a situation in which someone is at risk of angering others or making an unwelcome mistake. Ice is familiar from everyday life, but it also has distinctive scientific properties: it floats on liquid water and is less dense than its liquid form.
The solid form of water, especially in sheets, chunks, or small cubes; also, in some contexts, a frozen dessert or serving.
"The fountain had frozen into a solid mass of ice."
Usually uncountable for the substance; plural forms such as “ices” are uncommon and generally refer to individual frozen desserts or servings.
To cool something with ice, to freeze it, or to become covered with ice.
"The pond iced over during the unusually cold night."
Common in culinary and everyday contexts, as in “ice a drink” and “the road ices over.”
Ice is normally used as a mass noun. The plural “ices” can refer to individual frozen desserts or servings, especially in American English.
"The shop sells sorbets and other ices in small cups."
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water, one of the rare substances that becomes less dense when it freezes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ice
The word comes from Old English īs, meaning “ice,” and is inherited from Proto-Germanic *īsą. Its cognates include Old Norse ís, Dutch ijs, and German Eis. The modern English meaning developed from the older general sense of frozen water to include the familiar mass noun and, in some dialects, a countable serving of a frozen dessert.
Related word forms
How ice is actually used
The noun is normally uncountable when referring to the substance. Countable use, especially for individual frozen desserts or servings, is less common in general English and is more characteristic of American usage. The verb is commonly used with food, drinks, and surfaces.
Easily confused with ice
Ice is frozen water in a solid form, whereas frost is a thin layer of ice crystals that forms on surfaces when moisture freezes.