popsicle

IPA/ˈpɒp.sɪ.kəl/
KK[pˈɑpsɪkəl]IPA/ˈpɑːp.sɪ.kəl/

popsicle — noun

  • popsiclesingular
  • popsiclesplural

1. a sweet frozen dessert made from fruit-flavored juice, ice cream, or yogurt, sha

1.nounB1
Definition

a sweet frozen dessert made from fruit-flavored juice, ice cream, or yogurt, shaped around a short wooden or plastic stick so you can hold it while eating

Example

On a hot day, Rodrigo grabbed a popsicle and sat on the porch steps.

collocation: grab a popsicle

Wei's brother cried when his grape popsicle dropped into the dirt.

common scenario: popsicle dropping off the stick

Common collocations
  • eat a popsicle
  • suck on a popsicle
  • a cherry / grape / orange popsicle
  • a melting popsicle
  • a box of popsicles
  • share a popsicle
Synonyms
  • ice pop

    generic US term, less common in everyday speech but used on packaging

  • ice lolly

    standard British English term; not used in American English

  • freezer pop

    refers specifically to the soft plastic-tube type that you freeze at home

Grammar Patterns

a / an + popsicle

a [flavor] + popsicle

popsicles (plural)

Usage Note

In the United States, 'popsicle' is the everyday word for any frozen ice treat on a stick, even though it began as a trademarked brand. British English uses 'ice lolly' instead.

Common Mistakes

I ate a ice lolly at the park.' (in US context)
I ate a popsicle at the park.
'ice lolly' is British English; American English speakers say 'popsicle'.

Word family

  • ice pop
    nounB1
  • ice lolly
    nounB1
  • freezer pop
    nounB2
  • freezie
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'popsicle' is the dominant everyday term in American English, 'ice pop' is the more neutral generic name used on product labels and in formal writing. 'Ice lolly' is the British equivalent and would sound odd to American ears. 'Freezer pop' describes a specific type — soft plastic tubes of liquid you freeze at home, usually without a stick. 'Freezie' (or 'freeze pop') is common in Canada and Australia but rare elsewhere. For example: 'The box said ice pops, but the kids just called them popsicles.'

ice pop ↗ice lollyfreezer popfreezie

Etymology

English (invented trademark)

The word 'popsicle' was introduced in the 1920s as a trademark for a frozen dessert on a stick. Its name blends elements of 'lollipop' and 'icicle'. Over time, the brand name became a generic household term in American English for any frozen ice or ice-cream treat on a stick.