French Conversation · Level 118
59 words
French word
glacial
Pronunciation
IPA/glasjal/
Meaning
- adjectiveicy
Example
Le lac est glacial en hiver.
The lake is icy in winter.
More examples
Il a bu de l'eau glaciale après la course.
He drank ice-cold water after the race.
Core concept
A hard sheet of ice, mirrored by a person whose manner leaves no warmth or closeness.
Common phrases
air glacial
freezing air
eau glaciale
ice-cold water
Similar words
froid: Having a low temperature and feeling cold.
distant: Showing little warmth or friendliness while keeping an emotional distance.
glacé: Making an expression or voice seem extremely cold.
indifférent: Showing no interest or concern in people or things.
Definition in French
Qui évoque la froideur de la glace, souvent pour qualifier une attitude distante.
Word origin
French glacial comes from Latin glacialis, derived from glacies 'ice', and extends physical coldness to a person's distant manner.
Usage tips
- The feminine form is glaciale, as in une réception glaciale, while the masculine form is glacial, as in un accueil glacial.