cold but bearable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cold but bearable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the temperature is low, but it is still tolerable or manageable. Example: "The weather today is cold but bearable, so I decided to go for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The water is cold but bearable.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You could feel the cold, but it was totally bearable.

The Guardian - Travel

If your ears are warm, the most biting cold is bearable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's chilly but bearable.

The Guardian - Travel

NOISE LEVEL Noisy, but bearable.

The New York Times

My arm pain occurs daily and the pain is annoying but bearable.

Harvard University

The pain was intense, pulsating, throbbing, but bearable, even after the twenty-fifth hour.

The New Yorker

The North Atlantic water was chilly — 72 degrees — but bearable, for now.

The New York Times - Magazine

And in "Not a Day Goes By," that pain is acute but bearable.

The New York Times - Arts

He knew what it was now, and the pain stayed bad but bearable.

The Guardian - Books

Kashgar is hot but bearable in summer, and the Hunza Valley is cool.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cold but bearable", consider the degree of coldness and the level of tolerance you want to convey. Choose synonyms that accurately reflect the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using extremely negative adjectives to describe the cold (e.g., "freezing but bearable") if the situation is only mildly uncomfortable. This can create an inaccurate or exaggerated impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold but bearable" functions as a descriptive expression. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it modifies a noun (often implied, such as "weather" or "temperature") by indicating a condition that is uncomfortable yet within acceptable limits. Examples illustrate its use in describing water temperature, general weather, and even room conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cold but bearable" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where the temperature is low yet still tolerable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news articles, lifestyle content, and general descriptions. While there are numerous alternative phrases, such as "chilly yet tolerable" or "cool but manageable", the choice depends on the specific nuance the writer aims to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the adjective accurately reflects the degree of coldness and the level of tolerance being expressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chilly yet tolerable

Replaces "cold" with "chilly" to suggest a milder degree of coldness, and "bearable" with "tolerable", implying something that can be endured.

cool but manageable

Substitutes "cold" with "cool", indicating a slight decrease in temperature, and "bearable" with "manageable", suggesting a situation that is under control.

uncomfortable but acceptable

Focuses on the discomfort aspect, while "acceptable" suggests a level of tolerance or agreement despite the discomfort.

bitter but endurable

Emphasizes the harshness of the cold with "bitter", while "endurable" suggests a strong capacity to withstand the situation.

harsh but sustainable

Highlights the severity with "harsh" and replaces "bearable" with "sustainable", indicating the ability to maintain or continue despite the difficulty.

frosty but livable

Uses "frosty" to indicate a specific type of cold, and "livable" suggests a condition where one can continue to live or exist.

nippy yet sufferable

Replaces "cold" with "nippy" for a less intense cold, and "bearable" with "sufferable", conveying endurance of something unpleasant.

icy but withstandable

Highlights the intensity of cold using "icy", while "withstandable" emphasizes the ability to resist or oppose the discomfort.

arctic but survivable

Exaggerates the coldness with "arctic" and focuses on the aspect of surviving through the condition.

bleak but tolerable

Uses "bleak" to describe the general unpleasantness of the situation, where "tolerable" is a more formal synonym for "bearable".

FAQs

What does "cold but bearable" mean?

The phrase "cold but bearable" describes a situation where the temperature is low, but it is still tolerable or manageable.

How can I use "cold but bearable" in a sentence?

You might say, "The water was cold but bearable, so I decided to go swimming anyway." This indicates that while the water was cold, it wasn't so cold as to prevent swimming.

What are some alternatives to "cold but bearable"?

You can use alternatives like "chilly yet tolerable" or "cool but manageable" depending on the degree of coldness and tolerance you want to convey.

Is "cold but bearable" a formal or informal expression?

"Cold but bearable" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and formal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.