Cold can be a feeling that sends a shiver down your spine, a crisp chill in the air, or even a metaphor for emotional distance. Whether you’re describing the biting winds of winter or the isolation felt in a relationship, similes are a powerful way to convey that sensation. Below are 33 creative and vivid similes that help describe coldness in its many forms.
1. Cold as Ice
- Meaning: This simile highlights extreme cold, similar to the freezing, unyielding nature of ice.
- In a Sentence: The wind was as cold as ice, making it impossible to stay outside for long.
- Other Ways to Say: As frigid as a glacier, as cold as a frozen lake.
2. Cold as a Polar Bear’s Nose
- Meaning: This simile evokes the stark cold of polar regions, where the animals are adapted to the chill.
- In a Sentence: She gave me a cold stare, as cold as a polar bear’s nose.
- Other Ways to Say: As frosty as the arctic, as chilling as the North Pole.
3. Cold as a Snowman
- Meaning: Refers to a feeling or object as cold as a snowman, which is inherently frozen and cold to the touch.
- In a Sentence: His heart was as cold as a snowman, untouched by the warmth of kindness.
- Other Ways to Say: As frozen as winter, as icy as a snowflake.
4. Cold as Steel
- Meaning: Steel represents something unyielding and sharp, suggesting a biting, uncomfortable cold.
- In a Sentence: The air outside was as cold as steel, cutting through my coat.
- Other Ways to Say: As hard as iron, as sharp as metal.
5. Cold as the Grave
- Meaning: Suggests an eerie and final kind of cold, often associated with death and loss.
- In a Sentence: The silence in the room was as cold as the grave, heavy and oppressive.
- Other Ways to Say: As dead as a tomb, as chilling as a funeral.
6. Cold as a Winter Morning
- Meaning: A simile for the crisp and biting chill felt early in winter mornings.
- In a Sentence: The breeze was as cold as a winter morning, biting my skin with every step.
- Other Ways to Say: As frosty as dawn, as brisk as a December sunrise.
7. Cold as a Frozen Pond
- Meaning: Describes a cold so intense it mirrors the still, frozen state of a pond in winter.
- In a Sentence: His reception was as cold as a frozen pond, with no warmth in his smile.
- Other Ways to Say: As icy as a glacier, as chilly as the arctic.
8. Cold as the Dark Side of the Moon
- Meaning: Represents a cold that is distant and unapproachable, evoking the extreme conditions of space.
- In a Sentence: Her words were as cold as the dark side of the moon, distant and devoid of emotion.
- Other Ways to Say: As remote as space, as unfeeling as the universe.
9. Cold as a Witch’s Heart
- Meaning: Suggests an unforgiving, emotionally distant cold, often evoking the image of a wicked character.
- In a Sentence: His response was as cold as a witch’s heart, full of bitterness and contempt.
- Other Ways to Say: As cruel as ice, as heartless as stone.
10. Cold as a Cloudless Sky
- Meaning: A clear, chilly sky often brings a certain sharpness to the air, unclouded and stark.
- In a Sentence: The evening felt as cold as a cloudless sky, with no warmth left from the sun.
- Other Ways to Say: As clear as ice, as crisp as a frosty morning.
11. Cold as a December Night
- Meaning: A simile that uses the bitter cold typically felt during late fall and early winter nights.
- In a Sentence: His gaze was as cold as a December night, piercing and void of warmth.
- Other Ways to Say: As chilly as a January evening, as frozen as a winter dusk.
12. Cold as an Empty Room
- Meaning: Describes a coldness that is not just physical but emotionally empty, devoid of life or warmth.
- In a Sentence: The silence was as cold as an empty room, echoing with loneliness.
- Other Ways to Say: As barren as a void, as desolate as a deserted house.
13. Cold as a Steel Door
- Meaning: This simile highlights an impassable cold, like a door made of steel that is resistant and unyielding.
- In a Sentence: Her demeanor was as cold as a steel door, shutting out any attempt at kindness.
- Other Ways to Say: As impenetrable as iron, as closed off as a vault.
14. Cold as a Midnight Breeze
- Meaning: Refers to the cool, sometimes eerie breeze that sweeps through the air in the middle of the night.
- In a Sentence: The breeze was as cold as a midnight wind, sending shivers down my spine.
- Other Ways to Say: As crisp as the night air, as chilling as an evening gust.
15. Cold as Marble
- Meaning: Marble is cold to the touch, making it a fitting comparison for an unyielding and impersonal coldness.
- In a Sentence: His touch was as cold as marble, devoid of warmth or compassion.
- Other Ways to Say: As rigid as stone, as hard as rock.
16. Cold as a Frozen River
- Meaning: Represents a cold that runs deep, just as a river freezes over completely in the winter.
- In a Sentence: The conversation was as cold as a frozen river, devoid of any flow or connection.
- Other Ways to Say: As stiff as a glacier, as still as ice.
17. Cold as a Glass of Water in Winter
- Meaning: Evokes the shock of drinking something cold during the winter, a contrast to the warmth one would expect.
- In a Sentence: Her reception was as cold as a glass of water in winter, unexpectedly chilling.
- Other Ways to Say: As cold as a snowstorm, as stark as winter rain.
18. Cold as a Blank Page
- Meaning: Describes something emotionally or figuratively empty, cold without any warmth or feelings.
- In a Sentence: His expression was as cold as a blank page, no emotions written on his face.
- Other Ways to Say: As empty as a void, as neutral as an unspoken thought.
19. Cold as Frostbite
- Meaning: A simile that evokes the painful, biting cold of frostbite, an extreme and dangerous cold.
- In a Sentence: His reception was as cold as frostbite, painful and uninviting.
- Other Ways to Say: As biting as a frozen wind, as harsh as a winter storm.
20. Cold as a Wolf’s Gaze
- Meaning: Refers to an emotionless, chilling stare, evoking the predatory nature of wolves.
- In a Sentence: Her eyes were as cold as a wolf’s gaze, calculating and sharp.
- Other Ways to Say: As piercing as a hawk’s stare, as predatory as a lion’s look.
21. Cold as an Iceberg
- Meaning: An iceberg represents something cold and unapproachable, often suggesting a hidden depth of emotion or feeling.
- In a Sentence: His attitude was as cold as an iceberg, hiding something beneath the surface.
- Other Ways to Say: As distant as a mountain peak, as aloof as a glacier.
22. Cold as Snow on the Ground
- Meaning: This simile suggests a quiet, still kind of cold, much like snow that has settled and remains untouched.
- In a Sentence: The silence in the room was as cold as snow on the ground, still and unnerving.
- Other Ways to Say: As crisp as fallen snow, as untouched as a frosty morning.
23. Cold as a Mountain Wind
- Meaning: A mountain wind often carries an intense and unrelenting cold, sharp and biting.
- In a Sentence: The wind was as cold as a mountain breeze, whipping through my jacket.
- Other Ways to Say: As sharp as a highland gale, as fierce as a winter storm.
24. Cold as the Void
- Meaning: Describes an emptiness so deep that it feels like the cold expanse of space.
- In a Sentence: The room felt as cold as the void, hollow and devoid of any warmth.
- Other Ways to Say: As empty as a black hole, as distant as the stars.
25. Cold as the Arctic Circle
- Meaning: The Arctic is known for its extreme cold, making it a powerful comparison for any intense chill.
- In a Sentence: Her demeanor was as cold as the Arctic Circle, distant and unwelcoming.
- Other Ways to Say: As freezing as the polar ice caps, as harsh as an Antarctic blizzard.
26. Cold as the Edge of the World
- Meaning: Represents an extreme, remote cold that is far from civilization and warmth.
- In a Sentence: The place felt as cold as the edge of the world, isolated and barren.
- Other Ways to Say: As remote as the tundra, as far as the desert.
27. Cold as a Crystal Lake
- Meaning: A crystal lake often has a chillingly clear, icy surface that reflects the coldness in the air.
- In a Sentence: The reception was as cold as a crystal lake, perfect but uninviting.
- Other Ways to Say: As still as an ice field, as transparent as frost.
28. Cold as a Sunless Day
- Meaning: A day without the sun feels cold and gloomy, reflecting a lack of warmth and light.
- In a Sentence: Her silence was as cold as a sunless day, gray and void of life.
- Other Ways to Say: As dreary as overcast skies, as bleak as a winter afternoon.
29. Cold as a Starless Night
- Meaning: A starless night is devoid of light and warmth, representing complete coldness.
- In a Sentence: The night was as cold as a starless sky, void of comfort or relief.
- Other Ways to Say: As dark as midnight, as chilling as a black sky.
30. Cold as a Stone
- Meaning: Stone, often hard and unyielding, is used to describe something emotionless or harsh.
- In a Sentence: His heart was as cold as stone, incapable of feeling sympathy.
- Other Ways to Say: As rigid as concrete, as unfeeling as marble.
31. Cold as a Frosted Window
- Meaning: The chill that can frost a window reflects how cold it feels in the surrounding environment.
- In a Sentence: Her words were as cold as a frosted window, hazy and distant.
- Other Ways to Say: As chilly as a winter pane, as frozen as a glass door.
32. Cold as an Antarctic Night
- Meaning: An Antarctic night is incredibly cold, with no warmth and continuous darkness.
- In a Sentence: The silence felt as cold as an Antarctic night, endless and unbroken.
- Other Ways to Say: As endless as a polar dusk, as dark as a tundra night.
33. Cold as a Siberian Winter
- Meaning: Siberian winters are famously harsh and cold, making it a perfect comparison for extreme cold.
- In a Sentence: The night air was as cold as a Siberian winter, freezing my breath in the air.
- Other Ways to Say: As frigid as a Russian frost, as chilling as a frozen wasteland.
Cold Similes Quiz
- What does the simile “cold as ice” primarily suggest?
- A) A mild chill
- B) Extreme cold
- C) Emotional warmth
- D) A gentle breeze
- Which of the following similes represents emotional distance or lack of warmth?
- A) Cold as a snowman
- B) Cold as a polar bear’s nose
- C) Cold as the grave
- D) Cold as a mountain wind
- “Cold as a wolf’s gaze” is used to describe which of the following?
- A) A cold stare
- B) A chilly room
- C) A frigid wind
- D) A frozen lake
- Which simile evokes a sense of deep, remote cold like outer space?
- A) Cold as the dark side of the moon
- B) Cold as a cloudless sky
- C) Cold as a frozen river
- D) Cold as a snowflake
- Which of these similes represents an unyielding, harsh cold, similar to the conditions of the Arctic?
- A) Cold as a marble
- B) Cold as a winter morning
- C) Cold as a Siberian winter
- D) Cold as an iceberg
- “Cold as the edge of the world” conveys which feeling?
- A) A stark, isolated cold
- B) A gentle cold breeze
- C) A warm, inviting feeling
- D) A mild winter morning
- What does the simile “cold as a December night” represent?
- A) A peaceful, cozy atmosphere
- B) A warm, inviting evening
- C) A bitter, freezing cold
- D) A foggy, damp chill
- Which simile is associated with something hard, emotionally distant, or unyielding?
- A) Cold as a glass of water in winter
- B) Cold as marble
- C) Cold as a frozen pond
- D) Cold as a crystal lake
- Which simile describes a cold that feels distant, like an unapproachable, faraway place?
- A) Cold as a glass of water in winter
- B) Cold as the void
- C) Cold as a snowman
- D) Cold as a wolf’s gaze
- “Cold as a sunless day” is used to describe which of the following?
- A) A foggy, gloomy day
- B) A cold, lifeless atmosphere
- C) A warm, bright afternoon
- D) A windy, freezing day
- Which simile implies a cold that is unapproachable or distant, like the cold found in polar regions?
- A) Cold as a mountain wind
- B) Cold as a polar bear’s nose
- C) Cold as a witch’s heart
- D) Cold as the Arctic Circle
- “Cold as a frostbitten window” evokes what kind of cold sensation?
- A) A warm, cozy chill
- B) A sharp, painful cold
- C) A gentle, refreshing breeze
- D) A foggy, damp morning
- Which simile would best describe a cold wind cutting through the air?
- A) Cold as a crystal lake
- B) Cold as a polar bear’s nose
- C) Cold as a mountain wind
- D) Cold as a frozen river
- What does “cold as a stone” most likely imply?
- A) A friendly, welcoming cold
- B) A rigid, unfeeling cold
- C) A subtle, refreshing chill
- D) A soft, gentle breeze
- Which simile suggests an intense, deep cold, like the cold felt in the depths of winter or a freezing river?
- A) Cold as an iceberg
- B) Cold as a sunless day
- C) Cold as a starless night
- D) Cold as a frozen pond
Conclusion
In conclusion, similes are a powerful tool for describing the sensation of cold, allowing us to convey a wide range of feelings from harsh, biting chills to the quiet stillness of winter. By using vivid comparisons such as “cold as ice” or “cold as a Siberian winter,” we can effectively communicate the intensity and nature of cold environments or emotions.
Whether describing the frigid winds of the Arctic or the emotional distance of a person, these similes bring clarity and creativity to our language, making our expressions more relatable and impactful.