a fairly cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fairly cold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temperature that is somewhat low, indicating that it is cold but not extremely so. Example: "The weather today is a fairly cold 10 degrees Celsius, so make sure to wear a jacket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a fairly cold book.

The New Yorker

"I don't think this is easily repairable, and I think we're going to have a fairly cold relationship over the next two years, and potentially longer".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nolan has sometimes been criticized for directing fairly cold performances, a criticism I never really agreed with.

Huffington Post

"When it's fairly cold it's good to be a horse, but when it's warm it's pretty bad," Dr. Willerslev said Tuesday at news conference in Helsinki, Finland.

The New York Times - Science

'For that reason, he came at it fairly cold.'ItIt was fun to play a guy like that,' Brody grins.

The Guardian - Film

This is impeccably logical, and impishly offers a kind of secular deconstruction of secularism, but it is fairly cold comfort in the middle of the night.

The New Yorker

"That's what people always say, but then, most people drink fairly cold white wine with fondue, so it's a dish that's full of contradictions," he said, adding that he never encountered any intestinal distress from the combination.

The New York Times

I then slipped a handwritten note into his clenched fist, which by then had become fairly cold.

Huffington Post

"I have to admit the article and the topic leave me fairly cold," echoed Stew.

The Guardian - Opinion

I saw the film of The Commitments when I was 13 or 14 and it left me fairly cold.

The Guardian - Books

Sophie Yeomans, from the Met Office, said: "It's going to be fairly cold for the next few days … It will be colder down south than up in Scotland on Monday and Tuesday due to the clear skies".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing temperature, use "a fairly cold" to indicate a temperature that is noticeably cold but not extreme. This helps provide a nuanced description of the weather or environment.

Common error

Avoid pairing "fairly cold" with additional intensifiers like "very" or "extremely". The phrase itself already indicates a moderate degree of coldness, and adding more intensifiers can sound redundant and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fairly cold" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, describing the degree of coldness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable. The examples from Ludwig showcase its role in modifying nouns like 'book' and 'relationship'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a fairly cold" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing something that is noticeably cold but not extremely so. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's suitable for neutral contexts, and while not highly frequent, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, avoid adding redundant intensifiers and consider alternatives like "somewhat chilly" or "moderately cold" to fine-tune your description. Therefore, "a fairly cold" is useful for communicating nuanced degrees of coldness in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat cold

A direct synonym using "somewhat" to convey the moderate level of cold.

rather cold

Employs "rather" as an intensifier, similar to "fairly", but with a slightly more formal tone.

somewhat chilly

Replaces "fairly cold" with synonyms that suggest a slightly less intense degree of coldness.

pretty cold

Utilizes "pretty" as an informal intensifier, maintaining the general degree of coldness.

moderately cold

Uses a more formal adjective to describe the level of cold, suitable for technical or factual contexts.

slightly cold

Emphasizes the marginal degree of coldness; suitable when downplaying the coldness.

mildly cold

Emphasizes that the coldness is not severe or intense.

a bit nippy

Uses informal language to indicate coldness, suggesting a brisk or sharp chill.

noticeably cool

Shifts the focus to the feeling of coolness, implying the temperature is low enough to be noticed.

not extremely cold

Explicitly states the absence of extreme coldness, clarifying the degree of temperature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fairly cold" to describe weather, objects, or even emotional states. For instance, "It's "a fairly cold day", so wear a coat" or "He gave me "a fairly cold stare"".

What are some alternatives to "a fairly cold"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat chilly", "moderately cold", or "slightly cold". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a fairly cold day" or "a very cold day"?

It depends on the level of coldness. "A fairly cold day" suggests it's noticeably cold but not severely so. "A very cold day" implies a more extreme level of coldness.

What does "a fairly cold reception" mean?

"A fairly cold reception" means someone was received in a way that was not welcoming or friendly, but also not overtly hostile. It suggests a moderate level of indifference or disapproval.