cold face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cold face" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a facial expression that is unemotional or unfriendly. For example, "The girl wore a cold face when she saw her ex-boyfriend in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Concentrations at corners of the lower side appear close to the cold face.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Boray points out the route and occasionally hands me a freezing cold face flannel.

The Guardian - Travel

I love having a cold face but a bubbly hot body.

The Guardian - Travel

"Slowly, berries and mushrooms are coming to an end, because nature is beginning to show its cold face.

The Guardian - Books

A white-suited driver from the Ananda met me at the Haridwar station with a cold face cloth.

The New York Times - Travel

The results of this preliminary analysis help to understand the effect of the different shapes in the evolution of the cold face temperature.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But as a whole, this is a dark little concept album due to its relentless focus; quite frankly, after about seven or eight songs in, you'll need a cold face-splash.

Huffington Post

I duck these cold faces, post up fi-fie-fo-fum basis.

Los Angeles Times

The militarized police respond with cold faces and iron hands as they fight against the protestors.

Huffington Post

"The category is stone-cold face," he says.

The New Yorker

"I call it a 'stone-cold face,' " Mr. Polum said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold face" to vividly describe a character's lack of emotion or unwelcoming demeanor, enhancing the emotional impact of your writing. Ensure the context supports this interpretation to avoid miscommunication.

Common error

Avoid using "cold face" when you simply mean someone's face is physically cold. This can lead to confusion if the intent is to describe an emotion or expression, not temperature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold face" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a person's expression or demeanor. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. Examples show it modifying nouns like 'woman', 'sweat', and 'cloth', indicating its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold face" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a lack of emotion or warmth in someone's expression. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While it primarily serves to depict a character's demeanor, it's essential to differentiate its connotative meaning from a literal description of temperature. Related phrases like "unemotional expression" or "impassive look" can be used as alternatives to achieve similar effects. The phrase's versatile application underscores its value in descriptive writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unemotional expression

Replaces "cold face" with a direct description of the lack of emotion.

expressionless face

Focuses on the absence of expression, similar to a "cold face".

frigid countenance

Uses more formal and intense language to convey a similar sense of coldness in appearance.

impassive look

Highlights the lack of emotional response in the facial expression.

icy stare

Emphasizes the intensity and unwelcoming nature of the gaze.

frozen features

Suggests a face that is stiff and lacking animation, like a "cold face".

austere visage

Conveys a sense of sternness and severity in the facial appearance.

distant gaze

Focuses on the emotional disconnect conveyed through the eyes.

stony expression

Implies a lack of warmth or emotion, similar to the feeling of coldness.

blank stare

Highlights the absence of any discernible emotion or thought in the face.

FAQs

How can "cold face" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "cold face" is often used to describe someone who appears unemotional or unfriendly. For example, "The head nun was a tall, erect woman with a still, "cold face" and fiery eyes".

What does "cold face" mean in the context of thermal engineering?

In thermal engineering, "cold face" refers to the cooler surface of a material or component where heat is being dissipated. For instance, "Concentrations at corners of the lower side appear close to the "cold face"".

What are some alternative phrases for describing an unemotional "cold face"?

Alternatives include "unemotional expression", "expressionless face", or "impassive look", which all convey a similar lack of emotion.

How does the connotation of "cold face" differ from "neutral expression"?

"Cold face" often implies a negative or unwelcoming demeanor, whereas "neutral expression" suggests a lack of emotion without necessarily conveying negativity. A "cold face" can be off-putting, while a neutral expression is simply non-committal.