glacial
/ˈɡleɪ.ʃəl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Very slow, cold, or icy. It can describe something made by glaciers, or something that feels extremely slow and unfriendly.
- The service was glacial.
- We crossed the glacial valley.
- Her reply was cold and glacial.
Adinary Nuance
Glacial is stronger and colder than slow or cool. Use it when something feels painfully slow, frozen, or emotionally icy. Compared with icy, glacial often suggests a larger, more distant, and less personal coldness.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- băng giá
- Spanish
- glacial
- Chinese
- 冰川的
- Japanese
- 氷河の
- Korean
- 빙하의
Etymology
Glacial comes from Latin glaciālis, from glacies meaning “ice.” It entered English in the 17th century, first for things related to glaciers and ice.
Common phrases
glacial paceglacial movementglacial silenceglacial cold
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is glacial a negative word?
- Often, yes. It can suggest something unpleasantly slow or emotionally cold.
- What is the difference between glacial and icy?
- Icy is more direct and everyday. Glacial often sounds stronger and more dramatic.
- Can I use glacial for business writing?
- Yes, especially for slow processes, replies, or progress that feels frustratingly slow.