noun
icing
EYE-sihng
noun
1
A sweet coating, usually made from sugar and often butter or egg white, spread or piped onto cakes and other baked goods.
"She piped pink icing around the edge of the birthday cake."
"The cupcakes were topped with a thick layer of chocolate icing."
2
In ice hockey, an infraction where a player shoots the puck the length of the rink past the opponent's goal line without it being touched.
"The referee called icing after the puck slid untouched into the far end."
"A team can't be penalised for icing while playing short-handed."
How to Use Icing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the sweet sugary topping on cakes; in hockey it's a specific rule violation.
Common mistake
The phrase "icing on the cake" means an extra bonus on top of something already good — not literally about baking.
Common pairings
icing on the cake
cream cheese icing
call icing
Word Forms
icings plural
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She piped pink _____ around the edge of the birthday cake.
Etymology
Formed from the verb "ice" (to cover with a sugar glaze) plus "-ing".