freezing draft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "freezing draft" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cold breeze or airflow, often in the context of a room or building where the temperature is uncomfortably low. Example: "As I sat by the window, a freezing draft swept through the room, making me shiver."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mrs. Merkel's conservative allies were slow to accept the idea of freezing the draft, a move that was supported by the Social Democrats and the opposition Green Party.

The New York Times

That said, a freezing cold draft beer from Vaughns in the Bywater is just about heaven.

Huffington Post

Securing such commitments, among them getting China to crack down on software piracy and freezing the drafting of restrictive regulations on software procurement by the Chinese government, was especially sweet given BSA's number one priority: opening up international markets.

Forbes

The Germany that was willing to exert its economic power and resist pressure to stimulate its economy during the financial crisis is the Germany that now appears ready to freeze the draft.

The New York Times

Previous analyses of the evolution of these Drosophila species have relied primarily on the Comparative Analysis Freeze 1 (CAF1) draft assembly and computational (GLEAN-R) gene predictions (Drosophila 12 Genomes Consortium et al. 2007).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

"Just freezing".

The New Yorker

And freezing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Upgrades: Faster freezing and longer freeze time.

WikiHow

The Legislature's Republican minority leader, Peter J. Schmitt, said his delegation was frozen out of the drafting of the current proposal and had not received detailed data to analyze it.

The New York Times

In its original draft, the code froze out brokers and agents and placed severe restrictions on lenders.

The New York Times

From a distance of half…"}]} This riff on a New England clam shack has a cheery coastal décor and a vast range of warm-weather amenities — a spacious patio lined with wooden picnic tables, draft cocktails available frozen by request, and littlenecks on the half shell, at a clam a pop.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sensation of cold, use "freezing draft" to vividly portray a penetrating and uncomfortable chill.

Common error

Avoid using "freezing draft" when you simply mean it's cold; the phrase specifically describes a localized, moving current of very cold air.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "freezing draft" primarily functions as a noun phrase, describing a particular type of airflow. It combines the adjective "freezing", indicating extreme cold, with the noun "draft", referring to a current of air. Ludwig examples show its use in describing uncomfortable or unwanted cold air currents.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "freezing draft" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a noticeably cold and often unwelcome air current. While not a very common phrase, according to Ludwig, it's understandable and effective in conveying a specific sensation of cold. It appears mostly in news articles but can also be found in wikis or scientific articles. Consider alternative phrases like "cold draft" or "chilly breeze" if a more general term is needed. When writing, use "freezing draft" to paint a vivid picture of penetrating cold air.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chilly breeze

This alternative focuses on the sensation of cold air, simplifying the original phrase.

cold gust

Emphasizes a sudden burst of cold air, suitable when the draft is strong and brief.

icy wind

Highlights the extremely cold nature of the air current, implying a more intense chill.

bitter draft

This alternative emphasizes the unpleasant and harsh quality of the cold air.

glacial breeze

Evokes an image of extremely cold air, suggesting a powerful and chilling draft.

arctic gust

Similar to "glacial breeze", this phrase implies an extremely cold air current.

wintry breeze

This option connects the draft to the winter season, implying seasonal coldness.

sharp draft

Focuses on the piercing sensation of the cold air, emphasizing its intensity.

frigid air

Describes the condition of the air itself, rather than the movement.

ice-cold air flow

This alternative provides a more descriptive and slightly more formal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "freezing draft" to describe a cold airflow, such as: "A "freezing draft" snaked under the door, chilling the room."

What's a more common phrase for "freezing draft"?

While "freezing draft" is descriptive, you could use "cold draft" or "chilly breeze" for a more general description of cold air movement.

Is "freezing draft" a formal or informal term?

"Freezing draft" is fairly neutral, suitable for both informal and some formal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language.

What's the difference between "freezing draft" and "cold wind"?

A "freezing draft" typically describes an indoor air current. A "cold wind" refers to outdoor air movement and is generally stronger.