colder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing temperatures or describing a decrease in warmth or friendliness. Example: "The weather is getting colder as winter approaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have navy suits, navy blazers, a navy overcoat, a navy waxed jacket for colder weekends, a navy blouson for warmer weekends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For me, the biggest motivation to cycle through the winter is appreciating the colder months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like many butterflies, the high brown fritillary spends the colder months as a hibernating caterpillar, and these die if winters are warm and wet.

The Guardian

In fact, the colder it is, the better they like it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I've a friend whose house was a similar age but always seemed to be that bit colder," says Louise.

The Guardian

Friction improves at colder ambient air temperatures, which is why they chose to climb Dawn Wall in winter.

The Guardian

Stewart made the most of her one scene when she brushes off a pass by Martin, who is told, "When it comes to sailors, she's colder than a deep freeze".

The Guardian - Film

It'll be interesting to see what happens once it gets a bit colder and we have to start having the heating on more.

The Guardian

Neither is the water any colder than in summer.

The Guardian

On the epic death march from Auschwitz – through the snow, "colder and hungrier than can be imagined" – Zdenka accompanied Gideon Klein's sister, Elisa.

The Guardian - Music

The exception to this is extremities – your head, feet and hands generally feel colder the longer you ride.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relative temperatures, use "colder" to indicate a lower temperature compared to something else. For example, "The water is colder today than it was yesterday."

Common error

Avoid using "colder" when you simply mean "cold". "Colder" implies a comparison. Instead of saying "It's colder today", specify what it's colder than, or use "cold" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "colder" is as a comparative adjective. It modifies a noun by describing it as having a lower temperature relative to something else. Ludwig examples show this in contexts ranging from weather to emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "colder" is the comparative form of the adjective "cold", indicating a lower temperature or a decrease in warmth relative to something else. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and very common across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science, with a neutral formality level. When using "colder", ensure you are making a comparison, and avoid redundancies like "more colder". Alternative phrases such as "chillier" or "cooler" can be used depending on the degree of temperature difference you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chillier

This is a direct synonym, implying a slight decrease in temperature.

cooler

This is another common synonym, suggesting a less intense decrease in temperature than "colder".

frostier

Implies a more intense coldness, suggesting the presence of frost.

more frigid

Emphasizes a severe degree of coldness, often used in a more formal or descriptive context.

less warm

Expresses the idea by negating warmth rather than directly stating coldness.

ice-cold

Implies extreme coldness, often used for emphasis.

nippier

Suggests a sharp, biting cold, often used informally.

more glacial

Refers to extreme coldness associated with glaciers, can also imply emotional coldness.

lower temperature

Describes the situation in scientific or technical terms.

freezing

Indicates a temperature at or below the freezing point of water.

FAQs

How do I use "colder" in a sentence?

"Colder" is used to compare temperatures. For example, "This room is "colder" than the other one" or "The weather is getting "colder" as winter approaches."

What's a simple alternative to "colder"?

A simple alternative is "chillier", which also indicates a slight decrease in temperature.

Is it correct to say "more colder"?

No, "more colder" is redundant. "Colder" is already the comparative form of "cold", so you don't need to add "more". It is similar to the error of saying "more better".

When should I use "colder" versus "cooler"?

"Colder" suggests a more significant drop in temperature than "cooler". "Cooler" is often used for mild temperature decreases, while "colder" implies a more noticeable difference.