cold wind

USAGE SUMMARY

"cold wind" is a perfectly acceptable and common expression in written English.
You could use it to describe the weather, for instance, like in the sentence: "A cold wind blew through the empty city streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sudden, piercing cold wind.

The New Yorker

COLD WIND, by C. J. Box.

The New York Times

Cold wind blew through the open door.

The New Yorker

Cold wind blasts us all.

The New York Times - Style

Their conductivity: heat, cold, wind.

The New York Times - Books

A cold wind blows the blankie away.

The New Yorker

A cold wind rustled the grass.

The New Yorker

A cold wind blustered against rocky outcrops.

The Guardian

Then growing, a cold wind that blew from the horizon.

The New Yorker

A cold wind blew in from the sea.

The New Yorker

Other times, his muscles have cramped in the cold wind.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions, use "cold wind" to convey a sense of chilling air movement, especially when emphasizing discomfort or harshness. For instance: "The "cold wind" made it feel much colder than the thermometer indicated."

Common error

While "cold wind" is appropriate for literal descriptions of weather, avoid using it excessively in figurative contexts (e.g., "a cold wind of change") where more nuanced metaphors might be more effective. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold wind" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a meteorological phenomenon, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples. The phrase combines an adjective ("cold") with a noun ("wind") to specify a particular type of wind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold wind" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used primarily to describe weather conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as academic writing, and serves a descriptive purpose, often evoking a sense of discomfort or harshness. While generally neutral in register, the specific tone depends on the surrounding context. For alternatives, consider "chilly breeze" or "icy blast" to vary your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cold draft

Replaces “wind” with “draft,” implying a localized cold air current, often indoors.

chilly breeze

Replaces "wind" with "breeze", implying a gentler cold air movement.

icy blast

Substitutes "cold" with "icy" and "wind" with "blast", suggesting a sudden and intense cold air current.

freezing gust

Uses "freezing" instead of "cold" and "gust" instead of "wind", emphasizing the extremely low temperature and suddenness.

bitter gale

Replaces "cold" with "bitter" and "wind" with "gale", indicating a strong and unpleasant cold wind.

arctic air

Implies the cold air originates from the Arctic region, suggesting extreme coldness.

wintry squall

Combines "wintry" to indicate a winter-like quality and uses "squall" to refer to a sudden, localized storm of cold wind.

frozen draft

Replaces "wind" with "draft", which refers to a localized current of air, often indoors.

glacial breeze

Suggests the cold air is like that of a glacier, very cold and often associated with ice.

frigid air current

Uses a more formal and scientific tone with "frigid" and "air current".

FAQs

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

You can use "cold wind" to describe weather conditions, as in "A "cold wind" was blowing from the north" or to evoke a feeling of discomfort, as in "The "cold wind" cut right through my coat".

What are some alternatives to "cold wind"?

You can use alternatives like "chilly breeze", "icy blast", or "freezing gust" depending on the intensity and context.

Is it correct to say "a wind that is cold" instead of "cold wind"?

Yes, "a wind that is cold" is grammatically correct, but "cold wind" is more concise and commonly used. The first option is more verbose.

What is the difference between "cold wind" and "cold breeze"?

"Cold wind" generally implies a stronger air current than "cold breeze". A "cold breeze" suggests a gentler, more subtle chilling effect, while "cold wind" can imply a harsher, more forceful condition.