View synonyms for icing

icing

[ ahy-sing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sweet, creamy spread, as of confectioners' sugar, butter, and flavoring, for covering cakes, cookies, etc.; frosting.
Meteorology. a coating of ice on a solid object. Compare glaze, rime ¹.
Aviation. the freezing of atmospheric moisture on the surface of an aircraft.
Ice Hockey. the act of a player shooting the puck from the defensive half of the rink over the opponent's goal line, but not into the goal, as a defensive maneuver to keep the puck out of the reach of attacking opponents, resulting in a penalty against the defensive team if the puck is then next touched by an opponent other than the goalkeeper.

icing

/ ˈaɪsɪŋ /

noun

Also called (esp US and Canadian)frosting a sugar preparation, variously flavoured and coloured, for coating and decorating cakes, biscuits, etc
the formation of ice, as on a ship or aircraft, due to the freezing of moisture in the atmosphere
any unexpected extra or bonus (esp in icing on the cake )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of icing¹

First recorded in 1760–70; ice + -ing ¹

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

icing on the cake. frosting ( def 5 ).

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"We had tapioca, semolina, treacle sponge pudding, as well as jam roly-poly, cake with icing and sprinkles, chocolate cake and pink custard, and more."

From BBC

"To see the finished result on the big screen, and for it to win awards, has been the icing on the cake."

From BBC

Making everyone else pay after he dies is merely icing on the cake.

From Salon

Trump’s tariffs against neighbors Canada and Mexico this week are icing on a rancid cake.

From Los Angeles Times

Also selling well is the 'The Toffees doughnut', evident by the number of people wandering round with the remnants of royal blue icing on their lips.

From BBC

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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