What does icicle mean?
Word: Icicle
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Icicle means a long, pointed spike of ice that hangs down from a roof or branch, made when dripping water freezes.
How do you spell icicle?
Syllables: i - ci - cle
Tricky part: The end sounds like 'kul', but it is written c, l, e. Children often write icikle or icicel.
Watch out for: icikle, icicel
Memory tip: Icicles and circles finish the same way. Picture a circle of shiny icicles hanging all round the roof of a hut.
Icicle in a sentence
Example 1: Long icicles hung from the edge of the hut in the Alps.
Example 2: Drop by drop, the icicle grew longer during the cold night.
Example 3: Tara broke a small icicle off the fence and showed it to her little brother.
Fun Fact
An icicle grows as water runs down its outside and freezes in thin layers, so a long one can take many hours to form.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
i_icle
a) c
b) s
c) k
d) z
Show answer
a) c. Here the letter c says s, just as it does in ice.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
clieci
a) a long, thin finger of frozen water
b) a tiny bell that tinkles in the wind
c) a small round cake with sugar on top
d) a thin stick used to stir hot tea
Show answer
a) a long, thin finger of frozen water. Sorted out, the six letters spell icicle.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) circle
b) icycle
c) uncle
d) pickle
Show answer
b) icycle. The middle of icicle has an i, not a y; circle, pickle and uncle are all correct.
Sound Check
Which of the following words begins with the same sound as icicle?
a) eel
b) ink
c) island
d) earth
Show answer
c) island. Island and icicle both start with the long sound you hear in eye; ink, eel and earth start differently.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. When are you most likely to see an icicle?
a) during a warm spring shower
b) on a very cold winter day
c) on a hot summer afternoon
d) in the dusty dry season
Show answer
b) on a very cold winter day
2. What happens to an icicle when the sun comes out and warms it?
a) it slowly melts
b) it freezes more
c) it turns harder
d) it grows longer
Show answer
a) it slowly melts
