ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to frozen water or as a verb to refer to the process of freezing something. For example, "We went skating on the ice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I've worked multiple disasters, but I've never worked an ice storm with a forecast like this.

The Guardian

The players wanted to have their heads protected, but as individuals they couldn't afford to jeopardize their effectiveness on the ice.

The Economist

The reason for this conflict, Schelling explained, was that not wearing a helmet conferred a slight advantage on the ice; crucially, it gave the player better peripheral vision, and it also made him look fearless.

The Economist

· He tapped the country's vast wealth from gas for outlandish projects including a huge manmade lake in the Kara Kum desert, a vast cypress forest to change the desert climate, an ice palace outside the capital, a ski resort and a 130ft pyramid.

The Guardian

"Two Olympic victories, the hockey and Crimea," said Trifonova, referring to the Russian team's victories in the Winter Olympics and paralympics held in Sochi earlier this year, as well as in the recent ice hockey world championships, and the annexation by Moscow of the Crimea peninsula.

The Guardian

It is unclear whether the loss of ice is directly related to man-made climate change or a cyclical change in ocean currents.

The Guardian

He said the "worst case scenario" for 2100 was that ice sheets would contribute an additional 70cm to the sea level rise caused by the warming of the ocean.

The Guardian

NB: The article was changed at 9 35pm on March 26 to say that sea ice was one metre thick, rather than one mile.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Open Mon-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 10am-2am The birthplace of the "Citywide Special" – an ice-cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam, now available almost anywhere in town – Bob and Barbara's is ground zero for this local "happy meal".

The Guardian - Travel

Think of the man from Del Monte, or the cows on Ben & Jerry's ice-cream.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dinner could be jerk pork chop with black beans, followed by local black pineapple, grilled and served with rum and raisin ice-cream.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about climate change, be specific about the type of "ice" you are referencing (sea ice, glacial ice, ice sheets) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "ice", which is frozen water, with "icing", which is a sugary glaze used on cakes and pastries. Always double-check your spelling to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "ice" primarily functions as a noun, referring to frozen water. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to cool something with ice or to cover something with icing, however as Ludwig AI said the primary usage is as a noun. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in describing weather conditions, sports, and desserts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ice" is a versatile word primarily used as a noun to describe frozen water, with a secondary usage as a verb. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, Travel, and Sport. Understanding its function and context is crucial for effective communication. Be mindful of common errors, such as confusing "ice" with "icing", and leverage best practices, such as specifying the type of "ice" when discussing climate change. Use synonyms such as "frozen water" or "glacier" where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frozen water

Specifies the composition of ice more explicitly.

glacial ice

Refers specifically to ice formed in glaciers.

sea ice

Indicates ice formed from seawater.

ice floe

Describes a sheet of floating ice.

black ice

Refers to a thin, transparent layer of ice on a road surface.

ice crystals

Focuses on the crystalline structure of ice.

frozen surface

Describes the state of something covered in ice.

ice sheet

Refers to a large mass of glacial ice.

frost

Indicates a thin layer of ice crystals.

glacier

Refers to a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley.

FAQs

How to use "ice" in a sentence?

"Ice" can be used as a noun (e.g., "The lake was covered in ice") or a verb (e.g., "Please ice the beverage").

What are some synonyms for "ice"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "frozen water", "glacier", or "frost".

What is "black ice"?

"Black ice" refers to a thin, transparent layer of ice on a road surface that is difficult to see, making it very dangerous.

How does melting "ice" contribute to sea level rise?

Melting land "ice", like glaciers and ice sheets, adds water to the ocean, causing sea levels to rise. Melting sea "ice" has a smaller effect, as it's already floating in the water.