iciness

/ˈaɪsinəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈaɪsinəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈīsēnəs -sin-/ (ame, mw)

iciness — noun

1. a cold, distant way of speaking or behaving that signals dislike, anger, or disa

1.名詞C1
釋義

a cold, distant way of speaking or behaving that signals dislike, anger, or disapproval toward another person

例句

Mira noticed a sudden iciness in her boss's voice when she asked about the missed promotion.

iciness in [someone's] voice — typical collocation for hostile tone

The iciness between the two sisters lasted for weeks after the argument over their mother's house.

iciness between [people] — tension across a relationship

同義詞
  • coldness

    more general; can describe both behaviour and physical temperature

  • frostiness

    near-synonym; slightly more often used of facial expression or greeting

  • hostility

    more open and active; iciness is quieter and more controlled

反義詞

文法句型

iciness of [someone's] tone / voice / manner

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person's tone, voice, manner, or the atmosphere between people. Often follows the pattern 'iciness in/of/between'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense never describes weather.

常見錯誤

❌He showed iciness to me' (sounds odd as a direct verb object).
✅There was iciness in his voice when he spoke to me.
💡'iciness' is typically the quality of a tone or atmosphere, not something a person 'shows' directly.

2. the condition of being painfully cold outside, especially when surfaces are froz

2.名詞C1
釋義

the condition of being painfully cold outside, especially when surfaces are frozen and the air bites the skin

例句

The iciness of the January morning made Roya pull her scarf tightly around her face.

iciness of the [time period] — common time-frame collocation

Vinícius had never experienced the iciness of a Canadian winter before moving to Toronto.

iciness of a [season / place] winter

同義詞
  • coldness

    more general everyday term

  • chill

    milder cold; iciness suggests sharp, biting cold

  • frost

    refers to the visible frozen layer; iciness is the feel of the cold itself

反義詞

文法句型

iciness of [the air / the morning / winter]

用法筆記

Subject is usually weather, air, water, or a season. Common in descriptive or literary writing about winter. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes physical cold, never social atmosphere.

常見錯誤

❌It was iciness outside today.
✅There was an iciness in the air outside today.
💡'iciness' is an abstract noun, not used as a predicate adjective; pair it with 'there was' or 'the iciness of'.