ice breaker

USAGE SUMMARY

"ice breaker" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a conversation starter or an activity that is intended to help people get to know each other and become more comfortable in a social or professional setting. Example: The new employee orientation included an ice breaker activity where each person had to share an interesting fact about themselves.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It's the ice breaker.

The New York Times

They have been a great ice breaker.

The New York Times

At least it's an ice breaker.

The Guardian

"She could share it with the other students in halls – it was a real ice breaker".

Independent

"So for some of the girls, it was an ice breaker.

The New York Times

Ms. Lee also served as a potent ice breaker for young visitors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Merely an ice-breaker.

The New Yorker

It's an ice-breaker".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This was an ice-breaker.

The Guardian

Clearly what everyone needs is an ice-breaker.

The Guardian - Business

It was also a nice ice-breaker, since most of the people didn't know each other".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When selecting an ice breaker for a team-building event, consider the group's personality and interests to ensure that the activity is enjoyable and fosters a positive atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using the same tired ice breakers repeatedly. Instead, seek out creative and engaging alternatives that will genuinely capture people's attention and encourage participation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ice breaker" is as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI Examples show it denoting an activity or topic that begins a conversation, like "It's the ice breaker" or "a real ice breaker".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

27%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ice breaker" is a noun phrase that refers to an activity or topic used to initiate conversation and ease social interactions. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While alternatives such as ""conversation starter"" and ""social lubricant"" exist, "ice breaker" remains a widely recognized and effective term for describing something that facilitates social connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

way to break the ice

A more verbose way of saying the same thing.

conversation starter

Focuses specifically on initiating conversation.

social lubricant

Implies something that eases social interactions and makes them smoother.

introductory activity

Highlights the role of introducing people or a topic.

getting-to-know-you activity

Emphasizes the goal of helping people to get acquainted.

means of introduction

Highlights the function of introducing a person or topic.

initial point of contact

Emphasizes the first interaction in building relationships.

awkwardness diffuser

Focuses on reducing awkwardness in a social situation.

opening gambit

Suggests a strategic or clever start to a conversation or interaction.

relationship initiator

Emphasizes the role of starting a new relationship or connection.

FAQs

How can I use "ice breaker" in a sentence?

You can use "ice breaker" to describe an activity or question that helps people get to know each other and feel more comfortable, such as: "The team-building session started with a fun "conversation starter"."

What are some alternatives to "ice breaker"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "conversation starter", "social lubricant", or "introductory activity" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "ice breaker" one word or two?

"Ice breaker" is typically written as two separate words. The one-word form "icebreaker" is also acceptable, though less common when referring to social activities.

What makes a good "ice breaker"?

A good "ice breaker" is engaging, relevant to the audience, and helps to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere. It should encourage participation and facilitate interaction among participants.