WordGarden.ioicing
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈaɪsɪŋ/
US
- /ˈaɪsɪŋ/
Meanings
Noun
a sweet topping or glaze for cakes and pastries
the buildup of ice on a surface, especially in cold weather
an ice hockey infraction for shooting the puck too far down the rink
Beyond the definition
Icing isn't just about making things look pretty, though it certainly does that. It is the sweet glaze or creamy topping you find on cakes, cookies, and other treats. Think of a birthday cake; those colorful swirls are icing. But "icing" can also be used figuratively to describe something extra, pleasant, or a finishing touch that makes a situation even better. Winning a prize after already achieving your goal? That's just icing on the cake.
The term comes from the word "ice" because the sugar-based coating can look like a thin layer of ice once it cools and hardens. In another common use, especially in North American sports, "icing" is also a hockey rule. So next time you're enjoying a frosted cupcake, or hearing a referee call a play dead, you'll know the word can point to very different kinds of finishing touches.
Icing refers primarily to a sweet glaze used to coat and decorate baked goods like cakes, cookies, donuts, and pastries. It is typically made from sugar and a liquid (such as water or milk) and often includes ingredients like butter, egg whites, flavorings, or food coloring. There are many different types—buttercream, fondant, royal icing, and glaze—each offering a unique texture and appearance. While a simple powdered sugar glaze might be used for a quick coating on scones, elaborate fondant designs are often used to adorn wedding cakes.
However, "icing" is not limited to the culinary world. It is frequently used as an idiom to describe a bonus or a desirable addition that adds pleasure to an already satisfying situation. The phrase "icing on the cake" is a common way to describe such a pleasant advantage. For example: "Getting the promotion was great, but the company car was the icing on the cake." This stems from the idea that while a cake is delicious on its own, the icing is a delightful, non-essential enhancement that elevates the experience.
In a completely different context, the word has a specific meaning in sports. In ice hockey, "icing" is a rule violation that happens when a player sends the puck from behind the center red line all the way across the other team's goal line without anyone touching it. This rule helps keep the game moving and stops teams from just firing the puck away to waste time. Whether you are talking about a sweet dessert topping, a fortunate extra benefit, or a hockey play, "icing" points to something added at the end, or something that changes what happens next.
Examples
- 1
Cake decorating
She spread vanilla icing over the birthday cake.
- 2
Pastry topping
The cinnamon rolls were warm and covered in sticky icing.
- 3
Baking advice
Wait until the cake is completely cool before you put the icing on.
- 4
Taste
I like the cake, but the icing is a little too sweet.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Extra benefit
Getting a free dessert was the icing on the cake.
- Phrasethe icing on the cake
an extra good thing added to something already good
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- icingnounverb