Bitterly cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Bitterly cold" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe extremely low temperatures or harsh winter conditions. Example: "The wind howled through the streets, making it feel bitterly cold outside." Alternative expressions include "freezing cold" and "frigid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bitterly cold outside?

The New York Times - Travel

Bitterly cold winters that used to kill off the beetles have basically stopped occurring.

The New York Times

Bitterly cold winter days can be altered radically (within hours) by westerly flowing warm Chinook winds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bitterly cold conditions seemed to suppress creativity early on, other than the invention of Swanson.

BBC

It was bitterly cold.

The New Yorker

It was a bitterly cold night.

The New York Times

"It was bitterly cold," van Kampen recalled.

The New Yorker

Two, it is bitterly cold and drizzly.

The Guardian - Arts

It is bitterly cold, and hideously awkward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a bitterly cold morning.

The Guardian - Sport

It's mid-spring but bitterly cold.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitterly cold" to emphasize not just the temperature, but also the unpleasant or harsh feeling associated with it. For example, "The wind made the day feel even more bitterly cold."

Common error

Avoid using "bitterly cold" when the weather is only slightly cold. It suggests a severe and harsh coldness, not just a mild chill.

Linguistic Context

Adverb-adjective combination. "Bitterly cold" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "bitterly" intensifies the adjective "cold". It emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the cold, as seen in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bitterly cold" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe extremely low temperatures, conveying not only the coldness but also its harsh and unpleasant nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, especially in News & Media. Alternative phrases like "extremely cold" or "intensely cold" can be used, but "bitterly cold" carries a specific emphasis on the discomfort associated with the cold. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the severity and unpleasantness of the cold, avoiding its use in milder contexts. Sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, affirming its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely cold

Emphasizes the intensity of the coldness.

Intensely cold

Focuses on the severity of the cold.

Freezing cold

A more common and direct way to express very low temperatures.

Frigid

A single-word adjective indicating extreme cold.

Severely cold

Highlights the harshness of the cold.

Deeply cold

Suggests a penetrating coldness.

Awfully cold

Indicates a strong feeling of coldness.

Dreadfully cold

Implies an unpleasant experience due to the cold.

Piercingly cold

Describes a cold that feels sharp and penetrating.

Arctic conditions

Refers to weather conditions similar to those in the Arctic, implying extreme cold.

FAQs

How can I use "bitterly cold" in a sentence?

You can use "bitterly cold" to describe weather conditions, for example: "It was a "bitterly cold morning"." or "The wind made it feel "bitterly cold outside"".

What are some alternatives to "bitterly cold"?

Alternatives to "bitterly cold" include "extremely cold", "intensely cold", or simply "freezing cold" depending on the degree of cold you want to express.

Is "bitterly cold" the same as "freezing"?

"Freezing" generally refers to temperatures at or below 0°C (32°F). "Bitterly cold" implies a more intense and unpleasant cold, beyond just the temperature being at the freezing point.

What kind of weather is described as "bitterly cold"?

"Bitterly cold" is typically used to describe weather that is not only cold but also harsh, often with wind or other factors that make it feel even colder and more unpleasant.