icy breeze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "icy breeze" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a cold and refreshing wind, often in the context of weather or nature. Example: "As I stepped outside, I was greeted by an icy breeze that sent shivers down my spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

An icy breeze swept through a mostly boarded-up neighborhood on North Carey Street.

The Washington Post

Oscar Guillermo Montes perched on a high ridge, an icy breeze playing with a lock of his hair.

The New Yorker

An icy breeze shivers through the colossal emptiness of the Grand Palais, desolate, bare, its exit signs creaking.

The Guardian - Arts

There is an icy breeze, but I stand erect at the back of the boat and we bounce about in the wake of a passing tugboat.

The Guardian - Film

When the icy breeze hit her face, she opened her eyes slowly, and stared into a freezer filled with tiny vials of red liquid.

The New York Times - Arts

Most of them stood throughout and stayed to the end despite temperatures in the 30's, steady rain and an icy breeze blowing off Lake Michigan.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Today, the first fragrant lilacs shiver in icy breezes that slice like a knife.

The New York Times - Arts

We loved staring out at the ocean from the hotel porch, cooled by the sea breeze and icy beer.

The New York Times

I am by turns amused, touched and horrified by these gentle breezes and icy blasts from the past.

The New York Times - Magazine

During one winter vacation to Gasparilla Island, a sliver of land off the coast of Fort Myers in the Gulf of Mexico, Kessel sat poolside and discussed her family's good fortune, having temporarily traded Wisconsin's icy winter for the coastal breeze.

The New York Times

Women in short skirts and men with their shirt sleeves rolled up lay on daybeds, legs crossed, sipping icy cocktails and taking in breezes from the Hudson River.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "icy breeze" to vividly describe a light, cold wind, especially when emphasizing the refreshing or slightly biting sensation it creates.

Common error

Avoid using "icy breeze" to describe wind in tropical or summer settings, as it creates a contradictory and confusing image. Instead, opt for terms like "cool breeze" or "gentle wind".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "icy breeze" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding sensory detail to writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it evokes a vivid image of a cold wind. It typically modifies a scene or experience, creating a more immersive sensation for the reader.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "icy breeze" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe a cold, light wind. As Ludwig AI confirms, its descriptive power makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While there are other semantically similar phrases such as "chilly gust" or "frigid wind", the phrase "icy breeze" provides a distinct and refreshing sensory image. Be cautious when using it in warm or tropical settings to avoid incongruity. The term maintains a neutral register, making it a versatile choice for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chilly gust

Replaces "breeze" with "gust" to emphasize a sudden, stronger puff of cold air.

wintry gust

Connects the coldness to the season of winter, replacing “breeze” with “gust”.

frigid wind

Substitutes "icy" with "frigid" and "breeze" with "wind" to intensify the coldness and airflow.

crisp air

Focuses on the refreshing and clean quality of cold air, rather than its icy nature.

arctic air

Uses "arctic" to evoke a sense of extreme cold, replacing the gentler term "breeze" with the broader "air".

cold waft

Uses "waft" to imply a gentle, fleeting movement of cold air.

freezing zephyr

Combines "freezing" to highlight the temperature and "zephyr" as a more poetic synonym for "breeze".

bitter draft

Emphasizes the unpleasantness of the cold air with "bitter" and replaces "breeze" with "draft", suggesting an indoor flow of air.

frosty air current

Replaces both words to suggest the presence of frost, emphasizing the cold and the movement of the air.

glacial breath

Implies a coldness akin to a glacier, using "breath" metaphorically for a subtle wind.

FAQs

How can I use "icy breeze" in a sentence?

You can use "icy breeze" to describe a cold and light wind, such as: "An "icy breeze" swept through the park, chilling us to the bone." or "The "icy breeze" made her shiver, despite the sunshine."

What's a good synonym for "icy breeze"?

Alternatives include "chilly gust", "frigid wind", or "arctic air", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "icy breeze" a formal or informal expression?

"Icy breeze" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is a descriptive and relatively neutral term. Its usage depends more on the overall tone and style of your writing.

What feeling does the phrase "icy breeze" evoke?

The phrase "icy breeze" typically evokes a feeling of coldness, freshness, and invigoration. It can also suggest a sense of harshness or discomfort, depending on the context.