Glacial
/ˈɡleɪʃəl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Glacial describes things related to glaciers, which are large masses of ice. It can mean very cold, icy, or slow and gradual like how glaciers move over time. People also use it to describe a very cold or unfriendly attitude.
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See It in Action
Related to glaciers or very cold ice
- •The glacial ice covered the mountain for thousands of years.
- •Scientists study glacial movements to understand climate change.
- •The lake was glacial cold, making it hard to swim.
Very slow or gradual
- •The company's progress was glacial, taking many years to improve.
- •Negotiations moved at a glacial pace, frustrating everyone.
- •Glacial erosion slowly shaped the valley over centuries.
Very cold or unfriendly in attitude or behavior
- •She gave me a glacial stare when I asked the question.
- •His glacial silence made everyone feel uncomfortable.
- •The receptionist’s glacial tone discouraged visitors.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "glacial" like "cold" (A1 word), but much colder and often connected to big ice masses called glaciers.
- ✓Picture a huge slow-moving block of ice slowly pushing through a valley, moving so slowly you barely notice.
- ✓It's the feeling of cold wind on a winter day, or when someone looks very unfriendly and distant.
- ✓Sounds like "GLAY-shul" → imagine glass (clear, cold) and chill (cold feeling) combined into one word.
- ✓Imagine a story where a glacier slowly changes the shape of a mountain over many years.
- ✓NOT like "cold" (which can be quick or small), "glacial" is usually very cold and very slow or very unfriendly.
- ✓NOT like "fast" or "warm," glacial means slow and cold or very unfriendly.
Try Other Words
- •Icy: very cold, covered with ice (Use when describing something covered in ice or very cold)
- •Slow: moving or happening with little speed (Use when focusing on speed, not temperature)
- •Frigid: extremely cold or unfriendly (Use when emphasizing very strong cold or cold attitude)
- •Frosty: cold or unfriendly (Use for attitudes or weather that is cold but less extreme than glacial)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "glaci-" (from Latin "glacies" meaning ice) + suffix "-al" (meaning "related to")
- •Etymology: From Latin "glacies" meaning ice, through French "glacial" meaning icy or cold
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 17th century to describe things related to glaciers or ice
- •Modern usage: Used to describe very cold temperatures, slow movements like glaciers, or cold/unfriendly attitudes
- •Key insight: Connects the idea of ice and cold with slow movement or cold behavior
Reflect & Connect
•How can the word "glacial" help you describe both nature and human emotions?
•Can something be "glacial" in a positive way, or is it always negative? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The glacier moved at a ___ pace, so slow that people hardly noticed its progress.
2.Her glacial response to the question made everyone feel ___ and unwelcome.
3.The water in the mountain stream was so ___ cold that no one wanted to swim.
4.When negotiations are ___, it means they take a very long time to ___ any agreement.
5.The room felt ___ after he left, as if the warmth and friendliness had disappeared.
6.Scientists study ___ periods to learn how ice shaped the earth's surface over ___ years.
7.Unlike a quick answer, a glacial reply often shows ___ or lack of interest.