1 [U] water that has frozen and become solid:
There was ice on the windows. * The lake was covered with a sheet of ice. * My hands are as cold as ice.
seealsoICY, BLACKICE, DRYICE
2 [sing.] (usually the ice) a frozen surface that people SKATE on:
The dancers came out onto the ice. * Both teams are on the ice, waiting for the whistle.
3 [U] a piece of ice used to keep food and drinks cold:
I'll have lemonade please-no ice.
4 [C] (old-fashioned, especially BrE) an ice cream:
Drinks, ices and popcorn are all on sale in the foyer.
seealsoCHOCICE
5 [U] (AmE) a type of sweet food that consists of ice that has been crushed and flavoured
IDIOMS
break the ice to say or do sth that makes people feel more relaxed, especially at the beginning of a meeting, party, etc.
seealsoICE-BREAKER(2):
Jim organized a few party games to break the ice when people first arrived.
cut no ice (with sb) to have no influence or effect on sb:
His excuses cut no ice with me.
on ice
1 (of wine, etc.) kept cold by being surrounded by ice:
All the food is laid out and the champagne is on ice.
2 (of a plan, etc.) not being dealt with now; waiting to be dealt with at a later time:
We've had to put our plans on ice for the time being.
3 (of entertainment, etc.) performed by SKATERS on an ICERINK:
Cinderella on ice
moreatTHINadj.
verb [VN] to cover a cake with ICING
PHRASALVERBS
ice over / up
