coconut ice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyInformal, Domestic
Quick answer
What does “coconut ice” mean?
A sugary, sliceable sweet or confectionery made from desiccated coconut, sugar, and often coloured pink.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sugary, sliceable sweet or confectionery made from desiccated coconut, sugar, and often coloured pink.
A traditional, simple homemade sweet, often associated with birthday parties, Christmas, and fêtes in the UK and Commonwealth nations. It is known for its two-toned appearance, typically featuring a pink or white layer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and the confection are known and used in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the US, it is largely unknown, with similar concepts sometimes called "coconut candy" or "coconut squares."
Connotations
Evokes nostalgia, childhood, and traditional home cooking in British contexts. Lacks specific connotations in American English due to unfamiliarity.
Frequency
Common in the UK and Commonwealth, especially in recipe books and contexts discussing traditional sweets. Virtually absent in everyday American English.
Grammar
How to Use “coconut ice” in a Sentence
to make coconut iceto cut (the) coconut ice into squaresto be fond of coconut iceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in the context of a confectionery manufacturer's product line.
Academic
Rare. Possibly in cultural studies discussing traditional foods.
Everyday
Used in domestic/cooking contexts, when discussing recipes or childhood memories.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coconut ice”
- Referring to frozen coconut water or a coconut-based ice cream as 'coconut ice'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'three coconut ices') is less common; 'pieces of coconut ice' is preferred.
- Capitalising the term (Coconut Ice) unnecessarily.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The 'ice' refers to its hard, sugary texture, not its temperature. It is stored at room temperature.
It is very uncommon. You might find similar coconut candies, but the specific term and traditional two-toned style are not part of standard American confectionery.
Traditionally, food colouring (often red) is added to half the mixture to create the classic pink and white layered effect.
No, it is considered one of the simplest sweets to make, often a first recipe for children, as it requires no baking, just mixing and setting.
A sugary, sliceable sweet or confectionery made from desiccated coconut, sugar, and often coloured pink.
Coconut ice is usually informal, domestic in register.
Coconut ice: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊ.kə.nʌt ˈaɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊ.kə.nʌt ˈaɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the hard, white flesh of a COCOnut mixed into sugary ICE that's not cold but solid.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEET IS NOSTALGIA / SIMPLE PLEASURE IS TRADITIONAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'coconut ice' primarily associated with?