biting wind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biting wind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cold, harsh wind that feels sharp or uncomfortable against the skin. Example: "As I stepped outside, I was immediately hit by the biting wind that made me wish I had worn a heavier coat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Dire food, sour wine, biting wind and everything closed.

The Guardian - Travel

After a false start, the athletes took their marks for the gun a second time in the swirling, biting wind.

The Guardian - Sport

Listeners had braved a sudden cold snap in Beijing, an onrush of biting wind from Siberia, to attend the performance.

The New York Times - Arts

There's an edgy, biting wind coming in sideways from the east, laden down with that sneaky category of rain, which can soak right down under your coat collar.

Independent

The hardest-core birder stands all day in biting wind and salt spray, staring into fog or glare in the hope of glimpsing something unusual.

The New Yorker

Its gunwales were pockmarked from countlesscollisions, and soot from its old diesel engine caked the icy stern.But its partially enclosed wheelhouse offered some protection fromthe biting wind.

The New York Times - Books

A DRY, biting wind swept in from the Sahara as my young guide, David Dolo; my driver, Mahmadou; and I followed a local animist priest up a rocky trail in Dogon country in central Mali.

The New York Times - Travel

Hundreds of people massed outside the cathedral in biting wind to watch the funeral on a big screen.

BBC

28° today, biting wind.

Huffington Post

A biting wind blew from the north.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Common ailments: bog spavin, laminitis, sweet itch, crib-biting, wind sucking, and warbles.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "biting wind" to vividly describe weather conditions in narrative writing, creating a strong sense of cold and discomfort for the reader.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "biting wind" for descriptions of cold weather. Instead, vary your language with other descriptive phrases like "sharp wind" or "icy blast" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biting wind" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "biting" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "wind". It describes a specific quality of the wind. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "biting wind" effectively describes a cold, harsh wind. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media. It serves to vividly portray the sensory experience of cold and discomfort. For alternatives, consider "sharp wind" or "icy wind" to diversify your descriptive language. While the phrase is powerful, avoid overusing it in your writing. The prevalence of "biting wind" across reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, showcases its reliability and appropriateness in different writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharp wind

Focuses on the piercing quality of the wind.

cutting wind

Emphasizes the wind's ability to penetrate clothing or skin.

icy wind

Highlights the cold temperature of the wind.

freezing wind

Stresses the very low temperature of the wind.

arctic wind

Implies an intensely cold wind, reminiscent of arctic conditions.

piercing wind

Similar to "sharp wind", focusing on the penetrating sensation.

raw wind

Suggests a harsh, untamed quality of the wind.

chill wind

General term for a cold wind, less intense than "biting".

wintry wind

Connects the wind to the coldness associated with winter.

frigid wind

Describes the wind as intensely cold and harsh.

FAQs

How can I use "biting wind" in a sentence?

You can use "biting wind" to describe a cold, harsh wind that feels sharp against the skin. For example, "The "biting wind" whipped through the streets, making pedestrians huddle deeper into their coats".

What is a good alternative to "biting wind"?

Alternatives to "biting wind" include "sharp wind", "cutting wind", or "icy wind", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "biting" mean in the phrase "biting wind"?

In the phrase "biting wind", "biting" describes the wind's sharp, stinging quality. It suggests that the wind feels harsh and uncomfortable on the skin, similar to a bite.

Is "biting wind" a metaphor or a literal description?

"Biting wind" is a literal description that uses figurative language. While the wind doesn't literally bite, the adjective "biting" effectively conveys the sensation of a cold, harsh wind that feels sharp and painful against the skin.