a thin cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thin cold" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It could be used in a context where one is describing a specific type of coldness, but it is not a common or standard expression. Example: "As I stepped outside, I felt a thin cold that seemed to cut through my jacket."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Shellac, also on Friday, bounced its acid guitar and trebly bass sounds off the walls, making a thin, cold band feel thinner and colder.

The New York Times - Arts

The trapezoidal plates of floating sea ice finally became visible only close to land, as a thin cold crust holding fast to the Greenland shore.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rapid quenching by particle impingement on a thin cold metal foil was used to freeze the phases existing in the burning droplets.

Combustion and Flame

To planetary scientists, the Martian atmosphere presents an intriguing mystery: today it's a thin, cold wisp of carbon dioxide with just one percent the pressure of Earth's atmosphere, but long ago it was thick and warm enough to support lakes and rivers on the Martian surface.

University of California, Berkeley

Line by line calculations with accurate spectroscopic data bases are used to compute the absorbed power under two geometrical configurations: a cold optically thin medium surrounded by spherical hot combustion products, and a thin cold slab in front of a hot combustion parallel slab.

Combustion and Flame

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Despite the effort applied to the floral and marbled prints, despite the romantic combinations of fur chubbies and long silhouettes, this was a thin, cold-leg, one-note collection.

The New York Times

The hybrid jacket is composed of a thin cold-formed steel sheet wrapped around the column with prestressing strands placed over the column.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Everyone likes a pier, if only in abstract – long, thin, cold and wet as they often are.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would be placed at the South Pole where the thin, cold air would allow for a clear signal.

Los Angeles Times

2. The impact would produce a cloud of ice and vapor rising 30 miles or more in Europa's thin, cold atmosphere.

Los Angeles Times

The air was thin, cold; the sun was hot on our faces.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing temperature, prioritize clarity. If "a thin cold" doesn't precisely convey your intended meaning, opt for more descriptive alternatives like "a slight chill" or "a biting wind" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "a thin cold" when you actually mean a weak illness. The phrase can easily be misconstrued as referring to a literal coldness, rather than a mild sickness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a descriptive modifier. Although the Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't grammatically correct or convey a clear meaning, when used, it aims to describe the characteristic of a cold or coldness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a thin cold" is an uncommon and somewhat ambiguous expression. While it appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical incorrectness and lack of clear meaning. As such, it's advisable to use clearer and more conventional alternatives like "a slight chill" or "a mild cold" to ensure your message is accurately conveyed. Despite its occasional appearance, the phrase's unconventional nature may lead to misinterpretations. When describing temperature, clarity should be the priority and for this reason more descriptive alternatives are a better choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight chill

Focuses on the mildness of the cold, rather than its 'thinness'.

a biting cold

Emphasizes the penetrating and sharp nature of the cold.

a weak cold

Suggests a cold of low intensity or strength.

a light frost

Refers to a thin layer of ice crystals, implying a gentle cold.

a subtle chill

Highlights the delicate and almost imperceptible nature of the cold.

a superficial cold

Implies the cold is only on the surface and doesn't penetrate deeply.

a faint chill

Indicates a barely noticeable coldness.

a passing cold

Suggests the cold is temporary and fleeting.

a marginal cold

Conveys that the cold is barely present or significant.

a negligible chill

Implies the cold is so insignificant it can be ignored.

FAQs

What does "a thin cold" mean?

The phrase "a thin cold" is not a standard or widely recognized expression. It could be interpreted to mean a mild or weak cold, or it might describe a coldness that is perceived as not being intense or penetrating. However, its meaning is ambiguous, and other phrases are more commonly used to convey similar ideas.

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

While not a standard expression, you could use "a thin cold" to describe a coldness that is not very strong or penetrating. For instance, "There was "a thin cold" in the air, just enough to make you want a jacket".

What are some alternatives to "a thin cold"?

Instead of "a thin cold", consider using phrases like "a slight chill", "a mild cold", or "a weak cold", depending on the context and what you want to emphasize. These alternatives are clearer and more commonly used.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a thin cold"?

While grammatically understandable, "a thin cold" is not a conventional or idiomatic phrase. Ludwig AI suggests that it isn't a correct sentence. Using clearer and more common alternatives will improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.