spell of a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spell of a cold" is not commonly used in written English, but it can be understood in context.
It can be used to describe a temporary period of experiencing cold symptoms or illness. Example: "After a brief spell of a cold, I felt much better and was able to return to work."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

See articleRussia was gripped by a spell of intense cold, with temperatures in Moscow falling to their lowest in 50 years.

The Economist

Ina Rosenbaum of Rochester wrote these thoughts during a spell of particularly cold weather: "I have already sent our annual contribution, but we are visiting in southern California and reading about the dreadful cold weather you are having back East.

The New York Times

However, a spell of intensely cold weather during the winter of 1996, when temperatures in parts of the Northeast fell to as low as twenty degrees below zero, seemed to kill many adelgids.

The New Yorker

We caught a glimpse of what the natural gas crisis may look like when a spell of bitter cold descended on the Northeast this past winter causing natural gas prices in the region to skyrocket, paper mills in New England to temporarily close and layoff workers and numerous industrial users to have gas supplies interrupted.

Forbes

A long spell of very cold weather could imperil many lives, he said.

The New York Times

If the mood really has been changed by a localised spell of cold weather - and that is a theory rather than a conclusion, I know - it shouldn't depress them too much.

BBC

The women have been unknowingly struck by a spell, which takes the form of a cold – you might say frigid – breeze that quells all sexual desire.

The Guardian - Books

Though the shortage was reminiscent of past disruptions in Europe's fuel supply from the former Soviet Union caused by rancor between Ukraine and Russia, a spokeswoman for the European Union said Russia was consuming more gas at home because of a cold spell.

The New York Times

The country is in the middle of a cold spell that is expected to worsen over the next three days, with cold weather alerts issued for 20 provinces.

BBC

This was to be the start of a cold spell which would continue up to the start of the Christmas period.

BBC

It should also be noted that, according to the Quarmby report on transport and winter resilience earlier this week, the Met Office did give "early indications of the onset of a cold spell from late November at the end of October".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "spell of a cold" is understandable, consider using more common alternatives like "bout of a cold" or "case of a cold" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "spell of a cold" in formal contexts. Opt for more precise medical or scientific terminology to describe periods of illness.

Linguistic Context

Noun phrase. The phrase "spell of a cold" functions as a noun phrase describing a temporary period of illness. While not as common as other alternatives, Ludwig AI indicates it's understandable, though potentially ambiguous.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spell of a cold" refers to a temporary period of experiencing cold symptoms. While understandable, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not a particularly common or precise way to express this idea. More common alternatives include "bout of a cold" or "case of a cold". In formal contexts, it's best to opt for clearer medical or scientific terminology. As such, while acceptable, "spell of a cold" is best reserved for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bout of a cold

Replaces "spell" with "bout", indicating a short period of illness.

case of a cold

Substitutes "spell" with "case", emphasizing the instance of the illness.

period of cold symptoms

Rephrases the expression to highlight the duration of the symptoms.

attack of a cold

Uses "attack" instead of "spell", suggesting a sudden onset of cold symptoms.

time with a cold

A more general way to describe having a cold for a certain duration.

brief cold

Focuses on the short duration of the cold, simplifying the original phrase.

short cold

Similar to "brief cold", emphasizing the limited time frame of the illness.

a touch of a cold

Indicates a mild or light experience of having a cold.

mild cold

Highlights the severity (or lack thereof) of the cold.

passing cold

Suggests the cold is temporary and will soon be over.

FAQs

What does "spell of a cold" mean?

The phrase "spell of a cold" refers to a period or bout of experiencing cold symptoms. It's a less common way to describe having a cold for a certain duration.

What can I say instead of "spell of a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "bout of a cold" or "case of a cold" to describe a temporary illness. You could also simply say "I have a cold".

Is "spell of a cold" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "spell of a cold" is not the most grammatically precise way to describe having a cold. Using phrases like "bout of a cold" or "case of a cold" may be clearer.

When is it appropriate to use "spell of a cold"?

The phrase "spell of a cold" is generally appropriate in informal conversation. In more formal or professional settings, consider using more precise medical terms or alternative phrases.