cold
adjective
UK/kəʊld/US/koʊld/
having a low temperature, especially when compared to the human body; lacking warmth
Example Sentences
It’s so cold outside that the lake has started to freeze.
She put on a jacket because the room felt unusually cold.
The restaurant served the soup cold by mistake instead of hot.
He shivered under the cold rain, regretting he had left his umbrella at home.
Skiers often enjoy cold weather because it provides ideal conditions on the slopes.
During the cold winter nights, the temperature can drop well below zero.
The sudden cold spell caught everyone off guard, forcing schools to close and residents to bundle up in layers of clothing just to stay warm.
Her tone was as cold as the winds outside, making it clear that she wasn’t in the mood for any friendly chatter.
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noun (countable)
UK/kəʊld/US/koʊld/
a low temperature or the sensation of low temperature; also, a common viral infection characterized by a runny nose, sore throat, and other mild symptoms
Example Sentences
He caught a cold after being out in the rain without a coat.
The cold in the cabin was unbearable until they lit a fire.
She stayed home from work because her cold symptoms were getting worse.
The campers felt the cold more intensely once the sun had set.
A sudden blast of cold greeted them when they opened the door.
Doctors often recommend rest and fluids to help fight a common cold.
Despite wearing multiple layers, the hikers couldn’t escape the biting cold that seeped into every gap, forcing them to constantly move around for warmth.
When her young son woke up with a stuffy nose and sneezing, she suspected a cold and decided to keep him indoors, away from the chilly autumn air.
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How to Use
A low-temperature state or sensation with an absence of warmth.“Cold” is commonly used as an adjective to describe a lack of heat—whether it’s about the weather, an object’s temperature, or even a person’s demeanor. For instance, you might say, “The water is cold,” or “It’s cold outside, wear a coat.” In more figurative contexts, “cold” can refer to emotional distance: “She gave me a cold reply.” You can also use it in phrases that emphasize sudden changes or moments, such as “catch a cold” (become ill) or “out in the cold” (left without support). When writing, consider pairing “cold” with sensory details—like describing how something feels on the skin or how you see the vapor of breath in chilly air—to create more vivid imagery. If you’re describing an intense chill, you can intensify it with adverbs, for example, “extremely cold” or “bitterly cold.” In formal contexts, you might use “cold” to describe scientific conditions, like “cold storage,” while in everyday speech, it’s a quick and direct descriptor of lower-than-comfortable temperature conditions, both physical and metaphorical. Used carefully, “cold” can evoke powerful sensations and emotional undertones, providing clarity and atmosphere in your communication.
Alternatives
Depending on context, a range of words or phrases can stand in for “cold.” For straightforward temperature descriptions, you could choose “chilly,” “cool,” or “frigid.” “Chilly” implies a mild to moderately uncomfortable lower temperature, suitable for a crisp morning or a slightly underheated room. “Cool” often connotes a pleasant or tolerable chill, such as a refreshing breeze on a warm day. “Frigid,” however, paints a picture of an extreme, biting cold—something that’s harsh and hard to endure. If you’re describing a lack of emotional warmth, “aloof” or “unfriendly” might capture the disinterested or distant attitude someone exhibits. In more figurative language, “icy” can serve both literal and metaphorical needs: “an icy stare” or “an icy wind.” “Wintry” can also introduce a poetic element, suggesting a scene straight out of a frosty landscape. For scientific or technical contexts, words like “subzero” or “low-temperature” may better describe precise conditions. Consider the tone, audience, and intended nuance when deciding which alternative to use—sometimes you need a mild chill, while other times you might want the stark intensity of “arctic” or “glacial” to convey just how piercingly cold something is.
Writing
When writing about “cold,” specificity and sensory detail can make your prose more vibrant. Instead of simply stating “it was cold,” convey how it affects characters or settings: “A biting wind whipped through the narrow alley, numbing her cheeks and forcing her breath into small clouds.” By engaging multiple senses—touch (numbness), sight (condensed breath), and even sound (the wind’s howl)—you capture the true essence of cold. If you’re writing fiction, you could highlight a character’s emotional reaction: “His chest tightened as the cold seeped through his thin jacket, fueling a growing sense of isolation.” This weaves temperature with inner feelings, adding depth. In non-fiction or descriptive essays, “cold” can frame the environment’s broader impacts: “The sudden cold snap damaged local crops, prompting farmers to seek emergency support.” If you’re aiming for persuasive or analytical pieces, connect the concept of cold to data or studies—for instance, referencing how “cold weather can influence energy consumption, as households raise their thermostats and rely more on heating.” Above all, vary your language and show how the cold interacts with living beings or the environment. This approach makes your writing vivid and engaging, ensuring that readers not only see the word “cold” but also feel its sting.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversations, “cold” often pops up to describe the temperature outdoors, an iced beverage, or even personal health. You might say, “It’s so cold today; I definitely need a scarf,” or mention that your friend’s hands feel cold to the touch. Casual use is straightforward and easy—“cold” quickly communicates that something is below a comfortable warmth level. You can also use it to talk about personality or mood: “Don’t be so cold; give them a chance!” However, keep in mind that labeling someone as “cold” can come across as judgmental, so it’s wise to consider tone and context. In social settings, phrases like “getting the cold shoulder” imply deliberate snubbing, whereas “catching a cold” points to a common illness. These idioms slip naturally into casual chats. By adjusting your intonation—sounding surprised, concerned, or slightly amused—you can infuse your speech with additional subtext. Whether you’re describing winter weather, a frosty drink, or a distant attitude, “cold” is versatile and effortlessly slots into laid-back discussions, making it a go-to word for day-to-day expressions of chilliness, both literal and figurative.
Etymology
The English word “cold” traces back to the Proto-Germanic *kalduz, later appearing in Old English as ceald, meaning “cold, cool, chill.” Related terms can be found across Germanic languages—Old High German’s kalt and Old Norse’s kaldur, for example—all reflecting the shared root denoting low temperature. Throughout history, cold climates have profoundly influenced human survival, settlement patterns, and culture, from the necessity of protective clothing to the development of preservation techniques for food. Interestingly, “cold” has also evolved to capture emotional distance, paralleling a cultural understanding that a lack of warmth applies not just to the environment but to human interaction as well. In older forms of English, “cold” could be used figuratively to describe certain states of inactivity or bleakness, as in “cold comfort,” implying comfort so minimal that it is almost no comfort at all. Over centuries, the straightforward physical sense of “cold” expanded into this wide array of metaphorical uses. Today, the word continues to evoke a clear mental picture of low temperatures and a perceived lack of warmth—whether that warmth is literal, like the heat from a fireplace, or metaphorical, like the kindness that unites communities. The duality of the term—both a natural state of reduced heat and a descriptor of human attitude—reveals how language adapts its foundational roots to societal nuance, ensuring that “cold” remains an enduring, expressive element in the English lexicon.
