frigid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'frigid' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something very cold or unenthusiastic. For example, "The frigid winter weather made it difficult to stay outdoors for long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across the two areas are about a million pairs of Adélie penguins, more than a dozen species of whale, more than a third of the world's population of emperor penguins, abundant krill and fish species and the Ross Sea region's top predator – the toothfish, which can grow to two metres weighing 200 kilos (they've evolved special anti-freeze like proteins to survive in the frigid waters).

The Guardian

According to 2009 testimony to a US House subcommittee, the Uighur detainees were subject to sleep deprivation, frigid temperatures and isolation.

The Guardian

The blast of frigid air sent temperatures plunging as far south as the Texas panhandle, where balmy 70-degree weather fell into the teens overnight.

The Guardian

And in the Dakotas, where single-digit temperatures – already about 30 degrees below normal – came with frigid wind chills, dipping as low as into the negative 20s in Dickinson, North Dakota.

The Guardian

Under curfew the stadium began filling with Pinochet's prisoners: some were summarily shot, others were sent to concentration camps in the Atacama deserts of the north or the frigid sub-Antarctic south.

The Guardian

Heavy snow blanketed parts of the upper midwest with more than a foot of snow on Tuesday, leaving residents there and in the Rockies waking up to frigid temperatures that plunged as much as 50 degrees F overnight.

The Guardian

Police on site, at the intersection of West Fillmore Street and South Homan Avenue, refused the Guardian access to Homan Square on a frigid recent morning.

The Guardian

They were not, but then had to cross the frigid night desert without clothes, food or water, until la migra caught them again.Gonzalo Vega, yet another cousin, made the trip with his wife, five months pregnant, and his two younger brothers, who were seven and ten at the time.

The Economist

He was one of a skeleton staff of 20 kept on as watchmen.Derelict mills pepper the region, loose sidings flapping in the frigid Appalachian wind.

The Economist

This is a frigid gallery filled with 800-year-old chunks of ice that had fallen from Iceland's largest glacier; when the show ends they will be left to melt.

The Economist

Some 300 workers will brave the frigid austral fog to assemble the pieces and put them in locally sourced packaging.In this section Keep out A self-made siege The game's afoot The spider and the web You try it first ReprintsMaking BlackBerrys south of the Magellan strait will cost $23m upfront, plus $4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000 worker, some 15 times more than in Asia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frigid" to describe weather, consider the intensity of the cold. Pair it with adverbs like 'bitterly' or 'intensely' for stronger impact.

Common error

Avoid using "frigid" to describe a person's sexuality, as it's considered outdated and offensive. Use more respectful and accurate terms to discuss someone's experiences or preferences.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "frigid" primarily functions as a descriptor, modifying nouns to indicate extreme coldness or a lack of warmth, either physically or emotionally. Examples provided by Ludwig range from "frigid waters" to "frigid temperatures".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "frigid" is a grammatically correct adjective primarily used to describe extreme coldness or a lack of warmth, both physically and emotionally. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers various examples. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context, as its application to personal traits can be perceived negatively. The word appears frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias, indicating a generally neutral register. For alternatives, consider "ice-cold", "bitterly cold", or, in emotional contexts, "aloof" or "unresponsive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ice-cold

Emphasizes the extreme coldness, suggesting a temperature at or below freezing.

bitterly cold

Highlights the intensity and unpleasantness of the cold.

freezing

A general term for temperatures at or below the freezing point of water.

icy

Implies the presence of ice and the associated coldness and slipperiness.

glacial

Refers to the coldness associated with glaciers and ice ages; can also describe an aloof or unfriendly demeanor.

arctic

Relates to the extremely cold conditions of the Arctic regions.

wintry

Suggests the characteristics of winter, including coldness and snow.

frosty

Describes a coldness associated with frost, and can also refer to a cold or unfriendly attitude.

unresponsive

In the context of emotional detachment or lack of sexual interest, this term describes a lack of reaction or engagement.

aloof

Describes emotional distance and a lack of warmth in interpersonal relationships.

FAQs

How can I use "frigid" in a sentence?

You can use "frigid" to describe extremely cold temperatures, as in "The "frigid" air stung our faces". It can also describe a lack of warmth or enthusiasm, such as "She gave him a "frigid" stare".

What are some alternatives to "frigid" when describing cold weather?

Instead of "frigid", you can use words like "icy", "freezing", "bitterly cold", or "arctic" to describe the temperature.

Is it appropriate to use "frigid" to describe a person's personality?

While "frigid" can describe a person's lack of warmth or emotional detachment, consider using alternatives like "aloof", "distant", or "unresponsive" to avoid potential offense. The best word choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "frigid" and "cold"?

"Cold" is a general term for low temperatures. "Frigid" implies a more extreme and often unpleasant level of coldness. So, "frigid" is a stronger descriptor than "cold".