freezing cold

USAGE SUMMARY

"freezing cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a temperature that is very cold, usually below 32°F (0°C). For example, "It was a freezing cold winter morning".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was freezing cold.

The New Yorker

It is freezing cold.

The New Yorker

It's dark, and freezing cold.

Independent

The shed is freezing cold.

The Guardian - Books

The water was freezing cold.

The Guardian - Film

"It's freezing cold down there.

The New York Times

The room was freezing cold.

The New York Times - Books

It was January, freezing cold.

The Guardian

It's cold, though, freezing cold.

The New Yorker

In the winter it was freezing cold.

Independent

Otherwise it would be freezing cold.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "freezing cold" to vividly describe weather, environments, or objects experiencing very low temperatures for emphasis. It is most effective when you want to express a high degree of coldness that is almost palpable.

Common error

While "freezing cold" is acceptable in many situations, overuse can sound informal. In technical or scientific writing, consider more precise terms like "cryogenic temperatures" or "sub-zero conditions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "freezing cold" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns, intensifying the sensation of coldness. Ludwig examples show it used to describe weather, objects, and environments. The Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "freezing cold" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe extreme coldness. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse sources, particularly news and media. Although acceptable in most contexts, more formal or scientific writing might require more precise language, but for general descriptive purposes, "freezing cold" vividly conveys a sensation of intense coldness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely cold

A straightforward and literal description of very low temperatures.

icy cold

Suggests the presence of ice and a piercing type of coldness.

bitterly cold

Emphasizes the harsh and unpleasant nature of the cold, adding an emotional dimension.

frigid

A more formal and scientific term for extremely low temperatures.

bone-chilling

Focuses on the cold penetrating deeply into the body.

arctic

Implies a coldness reminiscent of the Arctic regions, emphasizing severity.

glacial

Related to glaciers; suggests a slow, intense, and persistent coldness.

frosty

Suggests a light layer of ice or frost and a sharp, biting cold.

wintry

Associated with winter and its characteristic cold weather.

nippy

A less intense, more casual term indicating a sharp, brisk cold.

FAQs

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

You can use "freezing cold" to describe extremely low temperatures. For instance, "The wind made the night air "freezing cold"", or "The water was "freezing cold" when I tried to swim".

What's a less common way to say "freezing cold"?

Alternatives include more formal terms such as "frigid" or "glacial", which can be appropriate in certain contexts. A more colloquial option is "bone-chilling".

Is it redundant to say "freezing cold"?

While "freezing" implies coldness, adding "cold" emphasizes the extreme degree. The phrase isn't strictly redundant but rather intensifies the description.

What kind of situations is the phrase "freezing cold" best used in?

The phrase "freezing cold" is best used in situations where you want to emphasize extreme coldness, such as describing winter weather, icy conditions, or the temperature of something that has been chilled extensively. It adds impact and vividness to your description.