a rather cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather cold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a noticeable chill or lack of warmth, often in relation to temperature or demeanor. Example: "The weather today is a rather cold surprise for this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And it was a rather cold production".

The New York Times - Arts

This gave him a rather cold mien but that was scientific rather than Etonian.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wiley said of the witnesses, "If I could use a rather cold metaphor — they're a dime a dozen".

The New Yorker

Out on a rather cold, wet playground, some of these children weave between cones, on school-owned bikes, and their own.

The Guardian

His first essay in the new manner, Les Vêpres siciliennes (1855; The Sicilian Vespers), is a rather cold piece that has had only lukewarm success from its premiere on.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They truly were the real estate versions of Vince Chase's women — hot in a rather cold, untouchable way — and I only saw one that I actually wanted to marry, as it were.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

After a long silence the president tweeted a rather cold-sounding statement welcoming his election.

Vice

Dylan Thurston, also a mathematician, said that despite working in a realm of rather cold abstractions, his father was personally very warm.

The New York Times

My First Little Ian McEwan A beautifully crafted but rather cold and uninviting doll, fashioned from Venetian porcelain, pure silks and a certain frosty hauteur.

The Guardian

Canvas has many a question about his roots, the world beyond his grasp, and he develops what seems to be quite a crush on the rather cold and methodical Artist.

Los Angeles Times

To be sure, there is the gigantic Breakers resort on the Atlantic side along South County Road but, despite a fine golf course and a private beach, it is rather cold, as though all those years of corporate conferences has robbed it of personality.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing temperature, consider the context. "A rather cold day" implies a mild level of coldness, while "a bitterly cold day" suggests a more extreme condition.

Common error

Avoid using "rather" excessively in your writing, as it can make your sentences sound stilted. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "somewhat", "fairly", or more descriptive adjectives like "chilly" or "cool" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather cold" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a specific quality or characteristic related to temperature or emotional expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rather cold" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates a moderate degree of coldness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from describing weather conditions to emotional states. While the phrase is versatile, overuse of "rather" should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Alternatives like "somewhat cold" or "fairly cold" can provide similar meanings. Analysis of authoritative sources reveals that this phrase is most common in news and media, science, and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat cold

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly lower degree of coldness.

a fairly cold

Substitutes "rather" with "fairly", implying a moderate level of coldness.

a quite cold

Replaces "rather" with "quite", suggesting a similar degree of coldness but with a slightly different emphasis.

a pretty cold

Uses "pretty" instead of "rather", indicating a more informal tone.

a distinctly cold

Emphasizes the coldness by using "distinctly", suggesting it is easily noticeable.

a noticeably cold

Replaces "rather" with "noticeably", focusing on the perceptibility of the coldness.

a surprisingly cold

Adds an element of surprise to the coldness, suggesting it was unexpected.

an unusually cold

Highlights the atypical nature of the coldness, indicating it is not typical.

a bitterly cold

Expresses a more intense degree of coldness.

a chillingly cold

Implies the coldness is causing a sense of unease or fear.

FAQs

How to use "a rather cold" in a sentence?

You can use "a rather cold" to describe something with a noticeable lack of warmth, such as "It was "a rather cold day"" or "He gave me "a rather cold look"".

What can I say instead of "a rather cold"?

Alternatives include "a somewhat cold", "a fairly cold", or "a chilly" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "a rather cold" or "rather cold"?

"A rather cold" is grammatically correct when used as an adjective phrase preceding a noun. "Rather cold" can also be used, but omitting "a" is more informal.

What's the difference between "a rather cold" and "a very cold"?

"A rather cold" implies a moderate level of coldness, while "a very cold" suggests a higher degree of coldness. The choice depends on the intensity you want to convey.