slightly colder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly colder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small decrease in temperature compared to something else. Example: "The weather today is slightly colder than it was yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

In slightly colder climes, the Iditarod sled dog race was underway in Alaska.

The Guardian - Travel

"Still won't talk, eh? Well I'd hate for it to get slightly colder in here".

The New Yorker

We opened with a slightly colder tone as the two women don't know each other.

The Guardian

Morning temperatures in central Scotland would remain only slightly colder in winter, he said.

The Guardian

February's slightly colder than average temperatures cancelled out January's warmth, while March pretty much cancelled out December's warmth.

The Guardian

The star is still slightly colder than the Sun but the planet is more or less the same size as the Earth.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Yet even here, the comfort is slightly cold.

The Economist

Ours were slightly cold, slightly soggy and in desperate need of salt.

The New York Times

I thought my penis would burst, but she was slightly cold, not like a Korean woman.

The New Yorker

The air, slightly cold but deeply sweet, carried cries and sobs to my ears.

The New Yorker

And the textures, the slightly cold colors, conveyed an urban sensibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing temperatures, "slightly colder" is useful for indicating a minor difference. For instance, "The water was slightly colder than I expected", implying a small and perhaps unexpected change.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly colder" when the temperature difference is significant. If the temperature drop is substantial, use phrases like "much colder" or "significantly colder" to accurately reflect the change.

Linguistic Context

"Slightly colder" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a marginal decrease in temperature. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly colder" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase for describing a minor reduction in temperature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and applicable across diverse contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While alternatives like "a bit cooler" exist, the key is to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the magnitude of the temperature difference. When writing, avoid overstating the coldness and remember that precision enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit cooler

Uses "cooler" instead of "colder", implying a milder temperature decrease.

marginally chillier

Replaces "colder" with "chillier" and "slightly" with "marginally", suggesting a more noticeable but still small decrease in temperature.

somewhat frigid

Substitutes "colder" with "frigid", indicating a stronger sense of coldness, although still qualified by "somewhat".

noticeably less warm

Emphasizes the decrease in warmth rather than directly stating coldness.

a touch frosty

Employs "frosty" to suggest a light, crisp coldness.

a degree or two lower

Quantifies the temperature difference, making it more precise.

mildly cool

Uses "cool" instead of "cold", conveying a more moderate temperature.

relatively unheated

Focuses on the lack of heat rather than the presence of cold.

coolish

Informal term indicating a mild coolness.

not as warm

Simple and direct way of stating the relative lack of warmth.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly colder" in a sentence?

Use "slightly colder" to describe a minor decrease in temperature compared to a previous state or another object. For example, "The morning air was "slightly colder" than the night before".

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly colder"?

You can use alternatives such as "a bit cooler", "marginally chillier", or "somewhat frigid" depending on the context and the degree of coldness.

Is it correct to say "a slightly colder" instead of "slightly colder"?

No, the correct form is "slightly colder". The article "a" is not needed because "slightly" modifies the adjective "colder", which describes a condition or state, not a countable noun.

What's the difference between "slightly colder" and "a little colder"?

"Slightly colder" and "a little colder" are very similar in meaning. Both indicate a small decrease in temperature. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.