chilly laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chilly laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that is cold, distant, or lacking warmth, often implying a sense of mockery or insincerity. Example: "Her chilly laugh echoed through the room, leaving everyone feeling uneasy and unsure of her true feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You may even have been seated next to her at dinner last night, some charming Manhattan trophy wife with a chip on her shoulder and a chilly laugh, and recoiled a bit without knowing why.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In villages too small for traffic intersections we would perform in the markets, juggling among bleeding slabs of meat and great hessian sacks of dried chillies, and the stallholders would laugh and throw us vegetables or blocks of cheese.

The Guardian - Travel

Catherine's line of dialogue, in which she imagines telling a psychiatrist that all her problems are Claire's fault, now gets a laugh from the audience, not a chilly shiver.

The New York Times

On Friday, the day after the parade, Mrs. Masterson, Leslie's sister, said with a little laugh that the evening had been too chilly for thongs.

The New York Times

Mediate had been cruising along, smiling and laughing his way across the windswept and chilly golf course.

The New York Times - Sports

It's O.K.' " With a laugh, Razzano said they ended up talking about the chilly weather instead.

The New York Times - Sports

A national radio sports talk host labeled the Falcons a finesse team that will capitulate in the kind of chilly, sloppy weather the Giants occasionally play in, which made Falcons running back Michael Turner laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

You plodded on, chatting with someone else, laughing under the starlit sky as I trudged behind, alone, the chilly air bleeding through my mittens and hat.

Huffington Post

Mr. Eno is known to venturesome New York theatergoers for a work that is antithetical to the laugh-track sensibility, the solo show "Thom Pain (based on nothing)," a quirky, oblique meditation on the chilly darkness of the human experience.

The New York Times

Someone could get chilly.

The New York Times

Very chilly".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. A "chilly laugh" can create a sense of suspense or foreboding in narrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "chilly laugh" to describe a light-hearted or genuinely amused expression. The adjective "chilly" implies a negative or unsettling quality that wouldn't fit in positive or neutral scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chilly laugh" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "laugh" with the adjective "chilly". This highlights a specific quality of the laugh, suggesting it lacks warmth or sincerity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is correct and usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chilly laugh" is a grammatically sound but infrequently used expression to portray a laugh lacking warmth or sincerity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness but suggests considering the context carefully due to its negative connotations. Alternatives such as "insincere laugh" or "forced laugh" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its primary function is to evoke unease, and it finds its usage primarily in news and media contexts. While not a common phrase, "chilly laugh" serves a specific purpose in descriptive writing when you want to emphasize a cold or unsettling quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere laugh

Focuses on the lack of genuineness in the laugh, suggesting it's not truly felt.

unfeeling laugh

Directly implies a lack of emotion or empathy in the laugh.

cold-hearted laugh

Emphasizes the lack of empathy or warmth behind the laugh, highlighting a more severe emotional disconnect.

distant laugh

Suggests the laugh is emotionally detached or aloof, lacking engagement.

artificial laugh

Highlights the manufactured quality of the laugh, similar to 'forced laugh'.

forced laugh

Highlights the artificial nature of the laugh, indicating it's produced out of obligation or discomfort.

empty laugh

Suggests the laugh lacks substance or true enjoyment.

unenthusiastic laugh

Highlights the lack of excitement or genuine pleasure in the laugh.

icy chuckle

Replaces "laugh" with "chuckle", implying a quieter, but equally cold, expression of amusement.

mocking laugh

Specifically suggests the laugh is intended to ridicule or make fun of someone.

FAQs

What does "chilly laugh" mean?

A "chilly laugh" describes a laugh that lacks warmth, sincerity, or genuine amusement. It often suggests a cold, distant, or even mocking tone.

What are some synonyms for "chilly laugh"?

Alternatives include "insincere laugh", "forced laugh", or "cold-hearted laugh", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Example: "Her chilly laugh echoed through the room, making everyone feel uncomfortable." It's often used to describe villains or characters with hidden motives.

Is "chilly laugh" a common expression?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "chilly laugh" is not a particularly common expression. More frequent alternatives might be preferred in some contexts.