a cold voice

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cold voice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's voice when it is unfriendly or unemotional. Example: The principal called my name with a cold voice, signaling it was time to take my final exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Forget it," she said in a cold voice.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Each time the caller would give me a different horse as a codename so I knew it was him, and it was a very cold voice I can tell you," said Thompson.

BBC

or the "Sir" or added the "Old Man," and he looked hard at me, almost smiling, reminding me in a firm, cold voice, "Boy, I'm warning you, you had better watch yourself".

Vice

Film critic Bhardwaj Rangam of the New Sunday Express writes that Mukerji's unusual "sandpaper-scratchy, I'm-recovering-from-a-bad-cold" voice sets her apart from her contemporaries and The Times of India has credited her for breaking the "fairness myth" of Bollywood.

Wikipedia

Khabib's fights are consistently described by commentators as maulings, a term he made his own when he told Conor, in a slightly aloof and cold voice, "I will maul you".

Vice

You will only get a cold, angry voice repeating: "Stop.

Independent

"She wasn't saved," one of the girls replied in a cold, superior voice.

The New Yorker

Wolfe gave her a strange look, then threw the pinecone far away and spoke in a cold, opaque voice.

The New Yorker

I don't relish the thought of a cold robotic voice barking out what are meant to be my words in a language I don't understand.

The New Yorker

She delivered these facts in a cold, steady voice, obviously distancing herself from the nightmare for the sake of self-preservation.

The Guardian

A little later, while sitting at the opposite end of a dinner table from Wolfgang, Michael casually exposes himself to the boy and in a cold, menacing voice reiterates an obscene question heard in the movie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: ensure you distinguish between an emotional 'cold' and the physical 'cold' resulting from illness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in a way that leaves the reader guessing whether the character is angry or simply has a stuffed nose. If they are sick, specify 'hoarse from a cold' or 'thick with mucus' to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cold voice" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. In literature and journalism, it is frequently used within a prepositional phrase to describe the manner of speaking (e.g., 'said in "a cold voice"'). Ludwig AI confirms its validity as a standard descriptor for vocal quality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academic

3%

Legal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a cold voice" is a versatile and correct phrase in English, primarily used to denote emotional distance or literal illness. While the exact phrase itself appears with moderate frequency, its variants—such as 'hoarse from a cold' or 'cold, hard voice'—are ubiquitous across high-quality publications. Ludwig AI highlights its effectiveness in narrative contexts to convey a lack of empathy or clinical precision. Writers should use it intentionally to provide a sharp contrast to warm or emotive tones, while remaining mindful of the dual meaning regarding physical health and emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an icy delivery

Suggests a sharper, more hostile level of emotional coldness than the original.

a chilly tone

A slightly softer but still unfriendly variation often used in social contexts.

a detached manner

Focuses on the lack of emotional involvement rather than just the sound of the voice.

a flat voice

Implies a lack of inflection and emotion, often associated with boredom or depression.

a distant voice

Describes a voice that sounds physically or emotionally far away or preoccupied.

a clinical tone

Suggests a voice that is professional but entirely devoid of human warmth or empathy.

a robotic delivery

Emphasizes a total lack of human variation, often used for automated systems.

a stony voice

Implies an uncompromising, hard, and unfeeling quality.

a frigid response

Shifts the focus from the voice itself to the content and reception of the message.

an aloof voice

Indicates a voice that sounds superior or intentionally uninvolved.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "a cold voice"?

In most contexts, it refers to a voice that is unfriendly, unemotional, or detached. It can also literally describe a voice affected by a respiratory illness. You can see similar usage in phrases like "a chilly tone" or "an icy delivery".

How do I use "a cold voice" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a speaker's attitude, for example: 'The judge delivered the sentence in "a cold voice".' If you want to imply emotional distance, try "a distant voice".

Can I say "a cold voice" if I have a flu?

Yes, it is common to describe a raspy or thick sound caused by illness as being affected by a cold. However, to be more precise, writers often use "a hoarse voice" instead.

What is the difference between "a cold voice" and "a flat voice"?

While "a cold voice" implies a lack of warmth or active hostility, "a flat voice" suggests a lack of energy or pitch variation, often indicating boredom or fatigue rather than anger.