chilly air

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'chilly air' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to air with a low temperature, usually experienced outdoors. For example: "I wrapped my scarf around me to shield myself from the chilly air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Pungent curries scented the chilly air.

The New York Times

Outside, the chilly air smelled of eucalyptus and toasted marshmallows.

The New York Times

Yet romance was not in the chilly air.

The New York Times

The first birds sent their questions into the chilly air.

The New Yorker

SAN FRANCISCO — Horns beeped through the chilly air Tuesday night, and flags flapped through the raindrops.

The New York Times - Sports

But even in this fog and chilly air, I think I see.

The New York Times - Travel

When the chilly air of the street hit my face, I looked at my watch.

The New York Times - Travel

Dew still glittered on the grass, and the sun started to burn through the morning clouds, warming the chilly air.

The New York Times

But the information is presented without much passion or humor, the magazine equivalent of a polite but chilly air kiss.

The New York Times

The boiler is shot, the water heater, too, and the chilly air inside is thick with a musty smell.

The New York Times

He kept coughing, patting his chest and mouthing words that carried only muffled strains in chilly air.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chilly air" to evoke a specific sensory experience, often related to seasonal changes or outdoor environments. It's more descriptive than simply saying "cold air".

Common error

Avoid using "chilly air" to describe indoor environments where air conditioning is simply too strong. "Chilly" suggests a natural, outdoor cold, so using it indoors can sound unnatural or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chilly air" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "air" with the adjective "chilly." Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Travel

16%

Sports

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Lifestyle

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chilly air" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, especially in descriptive writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it effectively conveys a sensory experience of coolness. While versatile, it's most frequently encountered in news, travel, and sports contexts, denoting a neutral register. For variety, related phrases like "crisp air" or "nippy air" can be used to express similar sentiments with subtle differences in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cold air

Replaces "chilly" with a more direct synonym, indicating a lower temperature.

crisp air

Suggests air that is cool and invigorating, often associated with autumn or winter.

nippy air

Uses a more informal term for cold, suggesting a slight but noticeable chill.

cool breeze

Focuses on the sensation of a gentle, cold wind.

frosty air

Emphasizes the presence of frost or a freezing quality in the air.

icy breeze

Indicates a very cold and biting wind.

bitter air

Highlights the harsh and unpleasant nature of the cold air.

freezing air

Indicates the air is at or below the freezing point.

arctic air

Implies extremely cold air originating from polar regions.

wintry air

Connects the air temperature with the characteristics of winter.

FAQs

How can I use "chilly air" in a sentence?

You can use "chilly air" to describe a cold or cool atmosphere, for example, "The "chilly air" made me want to put on a jacket" or "The "chilly air" nipped at our faces as we walked home.

What's the difference between "chilly air" and "cold air"?

"Chilly air" suggests a slight coldness, often pleasant or refreshing, while "cold air" implies a more intense and potentially unpleasant cold. The phrase "chilly air" is more nuanced.

What can I say instead of "chilly air"?

You can use alternatives like "crisp air", "nippy air", or "cool breeze" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "chilly air" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "chilly air" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts. However, in scientific or technical writing, more precise terms like "low-temperature air" might be preferred.