cold outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cold outside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the temperature or weather conditions in an outdoor setting. Example: "Make sure to wear a warm coat; it's really cold outside today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bitterly cold outside?

The New York Times - Travel

It's so cold outside.

The New Yorker

It's cold outside.

Cornell University

Cold outside lavatories.

The Guardian

It's horribly cold outside.

The Washington Post

Weirdly cold outside.

The Washington Post

Then it got cold outside.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, it's still cold outside!

The New Yorker

Song: "Baby, It's Cold Outside"...

The New Yorker

The cold outside was fierce.

The New York Times

"It's very cold outside," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold outside" to provide a clear and concise indication of the outdoor temperature, especially when contrasting it with an indoor environment or suggesting appropriate attire.

Common error

Avoid using "cold outside" in conjunction with other redundant weather descriptions. Instead of saying "It's cold outside and freezing", simply state "It's freezing outside" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold outside" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (weather, temperature). Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English, serving to describe the state of the environment beyond an enclosed space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cold outside" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe chilly outdoor conditions. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across a broad spectrum of contexts, predominantly in news and media. While simple, the phrase effectively serves to inform about the temperature and prompt related actions. Alternative expressions such as ""chilly outdoors"" or ""freezing outdoors"" offer slight variations in intensity. For best practice, use it to directly convey outdoor temperature, avoiding redundant descriptions. Therefore, you can confidently use "cold outside" in your written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitterly cold outdoors

Adds an emotional tone to the description of the cold.

below freezing outside

Specifies that the temperature is at or below the freezing point of water.

chilly outdoors

Focuses on a milder coldness compared to the original phrase.

freezing outdoors

Emphasizes a more extreme level of cold.

frigid temperatures

Highlights the icy nature of the cold weather.

frosty air

Focuses on the sensation and quality of the cold air.

icy conditions outdoors

Focuses on the presence of ice due to the cold.

nippy weather

Describes a sharp and penetrating cold.

arctic temperatures

Suggests an extremely cold and harsh environment.

wintry weather

Broader term that includes other aspects of winter besides just cold.

FAQs

How can I use "cold outside" in a sentence?

You can use "cold outside" to describe the outdoor temperature, such as, "It's really cold outside, so wear a warm coat."

What are some alternatives to saying "cold outside"?

Some alternatives include "chilly outdoors", "freezing outdoors", or "bitterly cold outdoors", depending on the degree of coldness you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cold outside"?

Yes, "cold outside" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the temperature outdoors.

What's the difference between "cold outside" and "cold out"?

"Cold outside" is slightly more specific and descriptive, while "cold out" is a more informal and abbreviated way of saying the same thing.