severe chill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe chill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong feeling of coldness, either physically or metaphorically, such as in the context of illness or fear. Example: "After standing in the rain for hours, I felt a severe chill run through my body."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This has provoked another, more severe chill in relations.

The Economist

In the summer of 1861 Browning suffered a severe chill and died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She herself died in 1780, at the age of 63, after taking a severe chill during a pheasant hunt on the Schonbrunn grounds.

The New York Times - Travel

Rachel Curzon (No 16) can impart a severe chill to an 18th-century prediction of female destiny given to a player of the glass armonica invented by Benjamin Franklin: "And when you are adept / at spinning music from this toy, / you will understand / that there is nothing else but this / for all the life to come – // Accomplishments".

The Guardian - Books

"I don't want you to worry yourself because the doctor says I have only got a severe chill but it has reduced me very much.

BBC

While hunting, he suffered acute indigestion and a severe chill and decided to go home early while the others continued their sport.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This increased chilling resistance can allow tropical crops to withstand more severe chilling stresses than before.

BMC Plant Biology

Third and most importantly, chilling-sensitive Cassava could be accustomed to, through stress acclimation, severe chilling stresses close to freezing temperature (4°C) at least for a short period of time (5 days in the current study).

BMC Plant Biology

His doctor, Benjamin Say, writes that Mr. Browner had "severe Chills" that were "followed by a violent pain in his head".

The New York Times - Science

Her doctor got in the water to give her puffs from an inhaler, and she pushed on, swimming so slowly that she developed severe chills.

The New Yorker

One was withdrawn due to severe chills and shivering during PGE2 infusion, another due to an unspecific T-wave inversion in the pre-cordial leads on ECG and the third due to a drop in diastolic blood pressure below 40 mmHg, which was a safety limit according to the study protocol.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical condition, use "severe chill" to accurately convey the intensity of the symptom, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like fever or shivering.

Common error

Avoid using "severe chill" when a milder term like "slight chill" or "coolness" is more appropriate. "Severe" indicates a significant and intense sensation of cold, not just a minor drop in temperature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe chill" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "chill". Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The adjective "severe" intensifies the noun, indicating a strong or intense sensation of cold.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe chill" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe an intense feeling of cold, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides examples across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science sources. When writing, ensure the intensity implied by "severe" is appropriate for the context and consider using alternatives like "intense cold" or "bitter cold" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense cold

Focuses directly on the extreme degree of coldness, rather than the sensation.

extreme cold

Similar to "intense cold", emphasizing the extremity of the temperature.

bitter cold

Implies a sharp and unpleasant cold.

piercing cold

Suggests a cold that penetrates deeply.

sharp chill

Emphasizes the sudden and penetrating nature of the cold.

icy blast

Conveys a sudden and forceful rush of cold air.

freezing sensation

Focuses on the physical feeling of extreme cold.

bone-chilling cold

A more figurative way to describe a penetrating cold that affects one deeply.

extreme shivering

Highlights the body's response to a severe chill.

unrelenting cold

Describes cold that persists without easing.

FAQs

How can I describe a "severe chill" in medical terms?

In a medical context, a "severe chill" is often associated with symptoms like shivering, fever, and malaise. It indicates a significant systemic response, possibly due to infection or another underlying condition. It's more intense than simply feeling cold.

What are some synonyms for "severe chill"?

Alternatives to "severe chill" include "intense cold", "extreme cold", or "bitter cold", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each suggests a high degree of coldness.

Is it correct to use "severe chill" metaphorically?

Yes, "severe chill" can be used metaphorically to describe a sudden and intense feeling of fear, unease, or a negative shift in atmosphere. For instance, "a severe chill ran through the room when the bad news was announced."

What's the difference between "severe chill" and "wind chill"?

"Severe chill" refers to a strong feeling of coldness, often associated with illness. "Wind chill" is a meteorological term describing how cold the air feels to exposed skin due to the combined effect of temperature and wind speed. The latter is a specific environmental condition.