coldness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coldness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of warmth, either physically or emotionally, in various contexts. Example: "The coldness of the room made it uncomfortable for the guests to stay for long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As part of his reply, Descartes says, "If cold is simply an absence, the idea of cold is not coldness itself as it exists objectively in the intellect, but something else, which I erroneously mistake for this absence, namely a sensation which in fact has no existence outside the intellect" (Descartes, 2 163).

SEP

Her lover, Cheri Rupert Friendd), resembles an effeminate poet whose rose-lipped coldness is just a tad too cold to care about.

Independent

She links here maturity with femininity, and femininity with relative coldness of temperature, thus extending the claim that cold blood supports greater intelligence to the claim that cold blood supports superior moral strength, by claiming that cooler blood encourages temperance with respect to pleasure and desire.

SEP

To existere, then, means that we experience the cold with other 'I's.' We experience coldness within ourselves, with others, and "in relation to the soil, the topographic and scenic features and so on of a given land" (Watsuji 1961, 5).

SEP

"Mrs Cold", the story of an insecure woman who masks her frailty through coldness, is the work of the unmarried Øye; "Freedom and its Owner", which discusses how people are the sum of their cultural heritage, wherever they are in the world (and thus explores why the narrator doesn't need his geographic freedom) is by Bøe.

Independent

But I think there must be a certain element of empathy".She had originally thought there would be a coldness, a detachment to their work, but found the opposite.

The Guardian - Arts

"I felt the coldness and the metallic aspect of it," Perez, 33, told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Here crime is an ugly image of human coldness.

The Guardian - Arts

And, quite honestly, anyone who arrives in Belgium, probably the finest brewing nation of all, and orders a Jupiler should be deported forthwith.This is a less of a problem in tropical climes, where the most important attribute of a beverage is coldness and carbonation.

The Economist

But when I arrived, I was a UN official and there was a coldness and distance because the UN had betrayed Rwanda and they were hurting.I was caught up in that and didn't fully appreciate the extent of it.

The Economist

Seven years later, as an Athonite monk, he sat down to write a somewhat critical assessment of Ilarion's booklet, and had another spiritual experience: an "emptiness, coldness and darkness" possessed him, and he realised that Ilarion was right and his critics wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical sensation, use "coldness" to convey a lack of heat. When describing emotions, consider alternatives like "detachment" or "apathy" to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "coldness" excessively when describing a person's character. Overuse can make your writing sound melodramatic. Instead, vary your descriptions using words like "aloofness", "detachment", or "lack of empathy" to convey more nuanced meanings.

Linguistic Context

The noun "coldness" functions primarily to denote the state or quality of being cold. Ludwig examples show its use in describing both physical temperature and emotional states, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun "coldness" effectively communicates a lack of warmth, encompassing both physical temperature and emotional affect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, from news media to scientific literature and encyclopedias. While "coldness" is appropriate in various contexts, writers should consider alternatives like "detachment" or "apathy" for emotional descriptions to enhance precision. Its versatility and widespread use make "coldness" a valuable term for expressing a spectrum of meanings related to the absence of heat or emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of warmth

A general term for the absence of heat or affection.

chilliness

Implies a mild form of coldness, often related to the atmosphere or environment.

coolness

Indicates a moderate degree of coldness or a lack of enthusiasm.

frigidity

Suggests an intense level of coldness, or a lack of emotional warmth.

iciness

Suggests a very cold and often slippery or hard quality.

frigidness

Highlights an extreme cold state, whether physical or emotional.

emotional detachment

Refers to a lack of emotional connection or empathy.

apathy

Implies a lack of interest or concern, often related to emotional "coldness".

aloofness

Suggests a distant and reserved manner, related to emotional "coldness".

unresponsiveness

Highlights a lack of reaction or engagement, similar to emotional "coldness".

FAQs

How can I use "coldness" in a sentence?

You can use "coldness" to describe a physical lack of warmth, as in "The coldness of the room was unbearable", or to describe a lack of emotion, as in "Her coldness towards him was evident".

What are some synonyms for "coldness" when describing a person's demeanor?

Instead of "coldness", you could use "aloofness", "detachment", or "apathy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "coldness" in formal writing?

Yes, "coldness" is appropriate in formal writing, but consider the context. For scientific or technical writing, it's perfectly acceptable to describe temperature. For emotional contexts, assess if a more precise term like "emotional detachment" would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "coldness" and "chill"?

"Coldness" generally refers to the state or quality of being cold, while "chill" often describes a sensation of coldness or a sudden drop in temperature. You might say, "The coldness of the air was piercing", or "I felt a chill run down my spine".