ice cube
B1informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A small, usually cube-shaped piece of ice, made artificially for cooling drinks.
Any small block or piece of ice, often considered as a unit; can also refer to someone or something perceived as extremely cold or emotionally distant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun. While its primary meaning is literal, it is occasionally used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; it is a standard term in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical. Associated primarily with domestic and hospitality contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English data due to the cultural prevalence of ice-dispensing refrigerators and ice makers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
put X in the drinkdrop X into Yhear X clinkfreeze X in a trayVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “put something on ice”
- “break the ice”
- “skating on thin ice”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in the context of manufacturing (ice cube trays) or hospitality (bar supplies).
Academic
Rare. Could appear in texts on thermodynamics or material science.
Everyday
Very common, used in domestic, social, and culinary contexts.
Technical
Used in refrigeration engineering or food science.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you ice cube the punch bowl, please?
American English
- Just ice cube those glasses before you pour the soda.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I put two ice cubes in my juice.
- The ice cube is cold.
- Please fill the ice cube tray with water and put it in the freezer.
- My drink needs another ice cube.
- The waiter dropped an ice cube into my glass with a satisfying clink.
- She fished the last melting ice cube out of her water bottle.
- The negotiator's demeanour was so frosty, it was like talking to an ice cube.
- We had to improvise and use a plastic bag to make ice cubes for the party.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cube' of 'ice'. It's simple: ICE (frozen water) shaped like a CUBE (a 3D square).
Conceptual Metaphor
COLDNESS IS A SOLID OBJECT (e.g., 'His heart was an ice cube').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'ледяной куб' (sounds unnatural). Use 'кубик льда'.
Common Mistakes
- Writing as one word: 'icecube' (should be two words or hyphenated as 'ice-cube', though two words is more standard).
- Using plural incorrectly: 'ices cubes' (correct: ice cubes).
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'ice cube tray' used for?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('ice cube'), though hyphenated forms ('ice-cube') are sometimes seen, especially when used as a modifier (e.g., ice-cube tray).
Informally, yes. It means to chill something with ice cubes (e.g., 'Ice cube the drinks before the guests arrive'). This usage is more common in American English.
'Ice' is the general, uncountable substance. 'An ice cube' refers to a specific, discrete piece of ice, typically of a regular cubic shape.
Yes. While traditionally cubes, modern trays can produce spherical, cylindrical, or novelty-shaped (e.g., hearts) pieces of ice. The term 'ice cube' is often still used generically for these.