cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective, meaning having a temperature that is lower than what is comfortable, or feeling unenthusiastic or lacking in emotion, or having a lack of human warmth or kindness. Example sentence: After a long and stressful day, all she wanted was a warm embrace to make her feel better, but instead he gave her a cold response.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have a cold season in Sierra Leone but it is not cold like England.

The Guardian

I met a man who sometimes lets me sleep at his house but I have to wait outside for him to come home at 10 or 11pm and I get very cold.

The Guardian

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

It was cold.

The New York Times

Now Khalid is back there cackling at the thought of all those Americans exposing the holes in their socks on cold airport floors.

The Economist

Sometimes they'd even squirt water at those people they didn't like, shooting cold salt water at their faces with their jets.

The Guardian

And don't forget that in cold weather you'll have to heat the whole place.

The Guardian

'Zdenka,' I told myself, 'this is not cold.

The Guardian - Music

National Grid has moved to reassure households and businesses it will have enough power supply even in a cold winter after a spate of fires and power plant closures helped to cut spare capacity to an eight-year low.

The Guardian - Business

"Relegation, you're having a laugh" was Tim Sherwood's response to Aston Villa's predicament last weekend and it was easy to see why the manager feels that way after an afternoon when his team's performance did a much better job of warming the home supporters' hearts than the bitterly cold weather.

The Guardian - Sport

Meat is available, but it's fish and seafood tapas, hot and cold, that this place is famed for, and tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters) above all.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather, consider using more descriptive synonyms of "cold" like "bitter", "icy", or "frosty" to enhance the imagery.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "cold" to describe emotions. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with words like "aloof", "detached", or "indifferent" to convey more nuanced feelings.

Linguistic Context

The word "cold" primarily functions as an adjective, describing something having a low temperature or lacking warmth. It can also function as a noun referring to the sensation of cold or an illness. According to Ludwig AI, "cold" can be used as an adjective, meaning having a temperature that is lower than what is comfortable, or feeling unenthusiastic or lacking in emotion, or having a lack of human warmth or kindness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

15%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Business

8%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cold" is a versatile term with diverse applications, ranging from describing temperature to conveying emotional distance. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, each with distinct connotations. Predominantly used in News & Media, Travel, and Sport contexts, the term enjoys widespread recognition and usage across various registers. For more vivid writing, consider exploring synonyms such as "chilly", "icy", or "unfeeling", depending on the intended meaning. While generally grammatically correct, being mindful of context and potential overuse ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chilly

Refers to a moderate degree of coldness.

freezing

Indicates a very low temperature, often below the freezing point of water.

frigid

Suggests intense cold, both in temperature and in emotional terms.

icy

Describes something covered in ice or resembling ice, also used metaphorically for a lack of warmth.

unfeeling

Denotes a lack of empathy or emotion, similar to the metaphorical sense of "cold".

distant

Indicates emotional remoteness or aloofness.

aloof

Suggests a detached and reserved manner.

unfriendly

Describes a lack of warmth or kindness in behavior.

indifferent

Indicates a lack of interest or concern.

unwelcoming

Suggests a lack of hospitality or warmth.

FAQs

How can I use "cold" in a sentence?

You can use "cold" to describe temperature (e.g., "a cold day"), a feeling (e.g., "I feel cold"), or a lack of emotion (e.g., "a cold stare").

What are some alternatives to "cold" when describing temperature?

Alternatives include "chilly", "frigid", "icy", or "freezing", depending on the degree of coldness.

What can I say instead of "cold" to describe someone's personality?

Consider using "aloof", "distant", "unfriendly", or "unfeeling" to describe a lack of warmth or emotion in someone's personality.

Is it correct to say "I have cold" instead of "I have a cold"?

No, the correct phrase is "I have "a cold"". The indefinite article "a" is necessary when referring to the illness.