ice breaker
Social warm-up activity
An ice breaker is something that eases tension or awkwardness in social situations, especially at the start of a meeting or gathering: We started with a quick ice breaker to help everyone relax.
The term comes from ships designed to break through frozen waters, creating a navigable path.
Ice-breaking activities help strangers begin talking to each other.
Preliminary section or presentation
- openerWhat begins something
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
- greetingExpression of welcome
- activityEngagement in doing
game · question · prompt · mixer · energizer · welcoming · approachable · informal
Joint intellectual work
- bondingForming close connections
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- cohesionTendency to bind together
morale · unity · cooperation · workshop · retreat · orientation · onboarding · facilitation
Seagoing transport vessel
- vesselReceptacle for contents
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- hullOuter covering or frame
- reinforcedMade more resistant
arctic · polar · expedition · navigation · maritime · voyage · channel · passage
introduction
Preliminary section or presentation
activity · game · question · prompt · mixer · energizer · welcoming · approachable · informal · mingle
collaboration
Joint intellectual work
- bondingForming close connections
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
cohesion · morale · unity · cooperation · workshop · retreat · orientation · onboarding · facilitation · inclusion
ship
Seagoing transport vessel
reinforced · arctic · polar · expedition · navigation · maritime · voyage · channel · passage · frozen
- bondingconnect, friendship, befriend, rapport, camaraderie
- social peopleextrovert, extroverts, social butterfly, people person, socialite
- table-talkchat, banter, gossip, small talk, chitchat
- canalsGrand Canal, Panama Canal, Suez Canal, Erie Canal, canal boat
- seasonal transportationsleigh, sled, snowmobile, skis, snowshoes
- ESL teachingESL, EFL, TEFL, TESOL, lesson plans
ice breakermood killer
What ruins atmosphere
awkward silence · cold shoulder · wall builder · wall · buzzkill
ice breakermain event
Featured performance or contest
keynote · finale · centerpiece · headliner · capstone
ice breakerconversation stopper
Remark ending discussion abruptly
taboo subject · faux pas · third rail · elephant in the room
ice, break, breaker, ices, iced, icier, iciest, iciness, breaks