a little cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe or compare temperatures, for example: "It is a bit warmer today than yesterday - it was a little cold yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's a little cold," I said.

The New Yorker

She was a little cold.

The New Yorker

She's even a little cold.

The New Yorker

She said, "It's a little cold, yeah.

The New Yorker

Won't that be a little cold?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm feeling a little cold," Nicholas said, so we left.

The New York Times

"It's just a little cold, Newt," Callista said.

The New Yorker

"It is a little cold today," Pat said.

The New Yorker

Still, its monumentality left me a little cold.

The New York Times - Travel

If it feels crumbly, work in a little cold water.

The Times

"Basically, I was hungry and a little cold".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing temperature, consider the context. "A little cold" can be subjective, so provide additional details or comparisons to make it clearer (e.g., "a little cold compared to yesterday").

Common error

While acceptable, using "a little cold" to describe a situation or person in a formal setting might sound too casual. Opt for more precise or formal alternatives like "somewhat detached" or "slightly indifferent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little cold" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a slight degree of coldness, either literally in terms of temperature or figuratively to describe an emotional state. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts, confirming its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little cold" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe a mild degree of coldness, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability, with examples spanning various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Lifestyle content. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use "a little cold" or a more precise synonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A mite chilly

Indicates a small degree of coldness, similar to the original phrase.

Slightly chilly

Indicates a mild degree of coldness, similar to "a little cold".

Somewhat cool

Describes a mild temperature, comparable to feeling "a little cold".

A touch cool

Implies a slight coolness, close in meaning to "a little cold".

A tad crisp

Suggests a refreshing coolness, subtly different but related to "a little cold".

Moderately cool

Indicates a balanced level of coolness, similar to the original phrase.

Slightly aloof

Refers to emotional distance, metaphorically similar to feeling "a little cold".

A bit frosty

Describes a slightly unfriendly or distant attitude, akin to being "a little cold".

Rather detached

Suggests a lack of emotional involvement, related to the emotional sense of "a little cold".

Somewhat distant

Implies a degree of emotional separation, comparable to feeling "a little cold" in a non-literal sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little cold" to describe a temperature, as in, "The room is "a little cold", let's turn on the heater." It can also describe a person's demeanor, like, "She seemed "a little cold" during the meeting".

What can I say instead of "a little cold" when referring to temperature?

Alternatives include "slightly chilly", "somewhat cool", or "a touch cool". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "a little cold" differ from "cold"?

"Cold" indicates a lower temperature, while "a little cold" suggests a mild degree of coldness. The latter implies it's not severely cold, but noticeably cooler than desired.

Is it appropriate to use "a little cold" in formal writing?

It depends on the context. When describing temperature, it's generally acceptable. However, when describing a person's demeanor, consider using a more formal alternative like "slightly aloof" or "somewhat distant" in formal settings.