chilly breeze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'chilly breeze' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the temperature of the air, especially when it is cool but not cold. Example: I stepped outside and felt a chilly breeze blowing against my face.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The chilly breeze was slowly dislodging his moustache.

The New Yorker

He offered her his coat when a chilly breeze blew through the cemetery.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bolt wore a stocking cap onto the track to ward off a chilly breeze.

The New York Times - Sports

And so, on the afternoon of 17 November, Makel girded himself against a chilly breeze.

Independent

Now the sun was down, and a chilly breeze was kicking up.

The New Yorker

Apart from the gentle rustle from a chilly breeze, it's perfectly silent; no sign of an Alpine orchestra.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

And here we are, chilly breezes blowing indeed.

The New Yorker

The tourists exit, stepping into the bright sunlight and chilly breezes.

The New York Times - Arts

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet And here we are, chilly breezes blowing indeed.

The New Yorker

While younger stars stumbled Friday in the chilly breezes that foretold a coming storm, Couples ambled down the fairways, seized the moment and turned back time.

The New York Times - Sports

Virtually all of the passengers and crew members assembled on deck for the memorial, and endured chilly breezes until they had all finished singing "Amazing Grace".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chilly breeze" to evoke a sense of mild coldness and freshness, often associated with pleasant outdoor settings or a change in weather. For example, "The open window let in a "chilly breeze", a welcome contrast to the stuffy room."

Common error

Avoid using "chilly breeze" to describe conditions in inherently warm environments or seasons unless you intend to create a contrasting or ironic effect. Describing a tropical beach with a "chilly breeze" may confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chilly breeze" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to set a scene or mood. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage. The adjective "chilly" modifies the noun "breeze", creating a sensory description of the air.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chilly breeze" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a mildly cold and refreshing air current. As demonstrated by numerous examples in Ludwig, it is widely used in news media and other reputable sources to evoke a sense of coolness and freshness. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability and acceptability in both formal and informal contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in situations where extreme cold is implied, or in contexts where a cool sensation would be incongruous. Using related phrases like "cool wind" or "nippy air" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cool wind

Replaces "breeze" with "wind", suggesting a slightly stronger air current.

nippy air

Uses "nippy" instead of "chilly" to describe the air, conveying a similar sense of coldness.

cold gust

Substitutes "breeze" with "gust", implying a sudden, brief rush of cold air.

icy draft

Replaces "breeze" with "draft" and "chilly" with "icy", emphasizing the coldness of the air.

brisk wind

Suggests a lively, invigorating wind that may or may not be cold.

wintry air

Connects the air to the season of winter, suggesting a cold and potentially harsh atmosphere.

refreshing breeze

While "refreshing" generally implies pleasantness, it can describe a light, cool breeze, though less focused on the cold.

cool zephyr

Replaces "breeze" with "zephyr", suggesting a gentle, mild breeze.

light frost

Focuses more on the effect of the cold air, suggesting a very light layer of ice forming.

arctic air

Emphasizes the extreme coldness of the air.

FAQs

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

You can use "chilly breeze" to describe a cool and refreshing air current, like in the sentence: "A "chilly breeze" swept through the valley as the sun began to set."

What words are similar to "chilly breeze"?

Similar terms include "cool wind", "cold gust", or "nippy air", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the cold air.

Is it appropriate to use "chilly breeze" in formal writing?

Yes, "chilly breeze" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its usage is common across various contexts, as shown by its presence in news articles and literary works.

What's the difference between a "chilly breeze" and a "cold wind"?

While both describe cool air, a "chilly breeze" suggests a gentle and somewhat pleasant coldness, whereas a "cold wind" implies a stronger, potentially harsher cold.