Words / B1

YS-ing-shug-uh/ˈaɪsɪŋ ˌʃʊɡə/

Icing sugar (id: icing-sugar) is sugar ground so fine it feels like powder, used to make icing and to dust cakes (UK). US powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar. Caster sugar is still crystalline and finer than granulated, but it is not powder. Sift it or it will lump. Often uncountable.

Meaning

Very fine sugar used for icing and dusting cakes (UK; US powdered sugar).

Examples

• “Sift icing sugar over the brownies when they have cooled.”
• “The recipe needs 200 grams of icing sugar and a squeeze of lemon.”
• “Do not swap granulated sugar for icing sugar in buttercream; it will be gritty.”

Good to know

icing sugar (UK, often uncountable). US: powdered sugar. Contrast: caster sugar (not powder).

Near in meaning

powdered sugar

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