bitingly cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitingly cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling of intense coldness on a cold day, or to describe something or someone that is unfriendly or hostile. Example: The wind was bitingly cold, and I had to pull my coat tightly around me to keep warm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A deceptive day, sunny but bitingly cold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The air turned hostile and bitingly cold.

The New York Times - Magazine

The effect can be warm and comic, or bitingly cold.

The Economist

But even inside the station concourse, it's bitingly cold and wind weedles menacingly through our clothes.

The Guardian - Travel

It was mid-January, bitingly cold out, and it felt good to be inside.

The New York Times

Two days after Christmas Leicester played Harlequins on a bitingly cold day at Twickenham.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Hallsworth and colleagues then exposed spores that were harvested from the xerophilic fungi to a nail-bitingly cold temperature of -80°C.

Science Magazine

Bitter cold.

Independent

Certainly, metaphors of snowmen come to mind on a freezingly, bitingly, burningly cold morning in Guelph, Ontario, a recent and necessary destination in the search for birthday relics.

The New Yorker

There are nail-bitingly visceral accounts of the cold: the Icelandic author Halldór Laxness describes a character struggling against the snow, as "the cold began to penetrate him; a stiffness and a torpor crept up his limbs... but what was worse was the drowsiness that was threatening him, the seductive sleep of the snow, which makes it so pleasant to die in a blizzard".

The Guardian - Books

"They were both shameless," she added, bitingly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions, use "bitingly cold" to vividly convey the intensity and sharpness of the cold, helping readers feel the described environment. For example, "The wind was "bitingly cold", making it unbearable to stay outside for long."

Common error

Avoid using "bitingly cold" in metaphorical contexts where a less literal descriptor would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "His criticism was "bitingly cold"," consider using "harsh", "acerbic", or "caustic" to better capture the emotional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitingly cold" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (usually related to weather or environment) to describe its temperature. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase effectively conveys a sensation of intense and sharp coldness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitingly cold" is a descriptive phrase used to vividly convey the intensity of cold, particularly its sharp and penetrating quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While primarily used to describe weather, it can occasionally be used metaphorically. When writing, remember to use "bitingly cold" to create a strong sensory impression and to avoid overusing it in contexts where a more nuanced descriptor might be appropriate. Alternatives such as "intensely cold" or "piercingly cold" can provide similar emphasis, but with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely cold

Replaces "bitingly" with "intensely", focusing on the high degree of coldness.

extremely cold

Uses "extremely" to emphasize the severity of the cold, providing a more general description.

piercingly cold

Focuses on the sharp, penetrating quality of the cold.

frigid

A single-word adjective that describes a very cold temperature.

icy

Suggests a coldness associated with ice, implying a smooth, frozen quality.

freezing cold

A common expression that emphasizes the sensation of freezing.

bone-chilling cold

Highlights the deep, penetrating effect of the cold on the body.

arctic cold

Implies a coldness reminiscent of the Arctic regions, suggesting extreme severity.

glacial cold

Suggests a slow, persistent, and intense coldness, like that of a glacier.

nipping cold

Describes a cold that is sharp and slightly painful, as if nipping at the skin.

FAQs

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

Use "bitingly cold" to describe a very sharp, intense cold. For example, "The air was "bitingly cold", and we could see our breath forming clouds in front of us."

What are some alternatives to "bitingly cold"?

You can use alternatives like "intensely cold", "piercingly cold", or "frigid" depending on the context.

Is "bitterly cold" the same as "bitingly cold"?

While both describe intense cold, "bitterly cold" focuses more on the unpleasantness of the cold, whereas "bitingly cold" emphasizes its sharp, penetrating quality. Both are very similar and in most cases interchangeable.

Can "bitingly cold" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used to describe physical cold, "bitingly cold" can be used metaphorically to describe something that is sharp and unpleasant, such as a "biting remark". However, it's more common and effective to use it in its literal sense.