Frigid

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Frigid" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe extremely cold temperatures or a lack of warmth in a situation or demeanor. Example: "The frigid air made it difficult to stay outside for long." Alternative expressions include "icy" and "chilly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across the two areas are about a million pairs of Adélie penguins, more than a dozen species of whale, more than a third of the world's population of emperor penguins, abundant krill and fish species and the Ross Sea region's top predator – the toothfish, which can grow to two metres weighing 200 kilos (they've evolved special anti-freeze like proteins to survive in the frigid waters).

The Guardian

According to 2009 testimony to a US House subcommittee, the Uighur detainees were subject to sleep deprivation, frigid temperatures and isolation.

The Guardian

The blast of frigid air sent temperatures plunging as far south as the Texas panhandle, where balmy 70-degree weather fell into the teens overnight.

The Guardian

And in the Dakotas, where single-digit temperatures – already about 30 degrees below normal – came with frigid wind chills, dipping as low as into the negative 20s in Dickinson, North Dakota.

The Guardian

Under curfew the stadium began filling with Pinochet's prisoners: some were summarily shot, others were sent to concentration camps in the Atacama deserts of the north or the frigid sub-Antarctic south.

The Guardian

Heavy snow blanketed parts of the upper midwest with more than a foot of snow on Tuesday, leaving residents there and in the Rockies waking up to frigid temperatures that plunged as much as 50 degrees F overnight.

The Guardian

Police on site, at the intersection of West Fillmore Street and South Homan Avenue, refused the Guardian access to Homan Square on a frigid recent morning.

The Guardian

They were not, but then had to cross the frigid night desert without clothes, food or water, until la migra caught them again.Gonzalo Vega, yet another cousin, made the trip with his wife, five months pregnant, and his two younger brothers, who were seven and ten at the time.

The Economist

He was one of a skeleton staff of 20 kept on as watchmen.Derelict mills pepper the region, loose sidings flapping in the frigid Appalachian wind.

The Economist

This is a frigid gallery filled with 800-year-old chunks of ice that had fallen from Iceland's largest glacier; when the show ends they will be left to melt.

The Economist

Some 300 workers will brave the frigid austral fog to assemble the pieces and put them in locally sourced packaging.In this section Keep out A self-made siege The game's afoot The spider and the web You try it first ReprintsMaking BlackBerrys south of the Magellan strait will cost $23m upfront, plus $4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000 worker, some 15 times more than in Asia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions, use "frigid" to convey an intensely cold environment, such as "a frigid winter morning". This creates a vivid image of the cold.

Common error

Avoid using "frigid" to describe a person's personality unless you intend to convey a severe lack of warmth or affection. There are other terms, like "aloof" or "reserved", that may be more appropriate and less harsh.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "frigid" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a state of extreme coldness. It can apply to physical environments (e.g., "frigid temperatures") or, metaphorically, to emotional states (e.g., a "frigid manner"). Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples illustrating its descriptive use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "frigid" is commonly used to describe extreme cold or a lack of emotional warmth, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically sound and frequently found in news and media, it's crucial to use "frigid" appropriately, avoiding misuse in personal contexts where gentler terms might be more suitable. Its close relatives include "extremely cold", "icy", and "freezing", offering nuances in meaning. Remember, while versatile, context is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely cold

Emphasizes the intensity of the coldness.

Icy

Implies a coldness that is smooth and potentially dangerous.

Freezing

Focuses on the process of becoming or being frozen.

Arctic

Relates to the extreme cold conditions of the Arctic region.

Glacial

Suggests a slow-moving, immense coldness, like a glacier.

Frosty

Implies a surface layer of ice or a cold demeanor.

Wintry

Associated with the characteristics of winter, such as coldness and harshness.

Gelid

A more formal and less common term for extremely cold.

Unresponsive

Refers to a lack of emotional or physical reaction, similar to the figurative sense of "frigid".

Emotionally distant

Specifically highlights the lack of emotional warmth or connection.

FAQs

How is "frigid" typically used in a sentence?

"Frigid" is used to describe extremely cold temperatures or a lack of warmth in a person's demeanor. For example, "The "frigid air" stung our faces" or "She gave him a "frigid look"".

What are some synonyms for "frigid" when describing temperature?

When describing temperature, you can use synonyms such as "extremely cold", "icy", or "freezing". Each word carries a slightly different connotation of coldness.

Can "frigid" be used to describe objects or only people and weather?

"Frigid" can describe objects that are extremely cold, such as "frigid water". It is not limited to describing people or weather conditions.

Is it appropriate to use "frigid" to describe someone's personality?

Using "frigid" to describe a person's personality implies a severe lack of warmth or affection and can be considered harsh. Alternatives like "emotionally distant" or "aloof" may be more suitable depending on the context.