Cold vs. Frigid: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Cold" describes low temperatures generally, while "frigid" implies an extreme, often uncomfortably or dangerously low temperature.
Key Differences
The term "cold" is used to describe a wide range of low temperatures, from slightly chilly to very cold, but not necessarily extreme. In contrast, "frigid" specifically denotes temperatures that are extremely and intensely cold, often to the point of being inhospitable.
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When describing weather, "cold" can refer to a broad spectrum of conditions that require some level of additional warmth, like wearing a jacket. On the other hand, "frigid" implies conditions that are severe and could pose risks like frostbite, necessitating protective and heavy insulation.
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In terms of sensation, feeling "cold" can be a mild or moderate discomfort, possibly due to a slight drop in temperature. However, feeling "frigid" is often used to describe a penetrating and painful coldness, like touching ice or being in a deep freeze.
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"Cold" is also used more figuratively in language, often describing a lack of emotion or warmth in behavior or relationships. "Frigid," while it can be used similarly, tends to have a more negative connotation, suggesting an extreme and possibly harsh lack of warmth or emotion.
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Finally, in terms of temperature scales, "cold" covers a broader range, where temperatures are below room temperature but not necessarily freezing. "Frigid," however, is often used when temperatures are well below freezing point, especially in extreme weather conditions.
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Comparison Chart
Temperature Range
Broad, from slightly chilly to very cold
Extremely low, well below freezing
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Weather Conditions
Can vary from cool to cold
Involves severe, often dangerously low temperatures
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Sensory Perception
Mild to moderate discomfort
Intense, penetrating coldness
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Figurative Use
Describes lack of warmth in behavior
Implies harsh, extreme lack of warmth
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Apparel Implication
Requires additional warmth, like a jacket
Necessitates heavy insulation, protective clothing
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Emotional Connotation
Often neutral or mildly negative
More negative, suggesting harshness
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Usage in Descriptions
Versatile, for various degrees of low temps
Specific, for very low, harsh temperatures
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Climatic Implication
General, not necessarily extreme
Extreme, often associated with ice and snow
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Cold and Frigid Definitions
Cold
Cold refers to a noticeably lower temperature, especially in the air or weather.
The cold breeze made her shiver.
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Frigid
Frigid can be used to describe harsh and biting cold weather.
The frigid morning made the car difficult to start.
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Cold
Figuratively, cold can describe a lack of friendliness or emotion.
His cold response left her feeling unwelcome.
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Frigid
In a figurative sense, frigid denotes an extreme lack of warmth or emotion.
Her frigid demeanor was intimidating.
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Cold
It also refers to common viral infections affecting the nose and throat.
She stayed home with a bad cold.
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Frigid
It often connotes an environment or conditions that are inhospitably cold.
The climbers braved the frigid mountain peaks.
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Frigid
Frigid describes extremely low temperatures, often causing discomfort.
The frigid waters of the Arctic are inhospitable.
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Cold
Being at a temperature that is less than what is required or what is normal
Cold oatmeal.
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Frigid
It implies a severe and intense degree of cold.
They bundled up to face the frigid wind.
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Cold
Feeling no warmth; uncomfortably chilled
We were cold sitting by the drafty windows.
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Frigid
Showing little or no enthusiasm
Scientists gave the new theory a frigid reception.
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Frigid
Often Offensive Lacking sexual desire or unwilling to engage in sexual activity. Used especially of women.
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Cold
Designating or being in a tone or color, such as pale gray, that suggests little warmth.
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Cold
Exhibiting or feeling no enthusiasm
A cold audience.
A cold response to the new play.
A concert that left me cold.
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Frigid
Cold; wanting heat or warmth; of low temperature; as, a frigid climate.
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Frigid
Wanting warmth, fervor, ardor, fire, vivacity, etc.; unfeeling; forbidding in manner; dull and unanimated; stiff and formal; as, a frigid constitution; a frigid style; a frigid look or manner; frigid obedience or service.
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Cold
Having lost all freshness or vividness through passage of time
Dogs attempting to catch a cold scent.
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Frigid
Wanting natural heat or vigor sufficient to excite the generative power; impotent.
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Cold
Characterized by repeated failure, especially in a sport or competitive activity
The team fell into a slump of cold shooting.
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Frigid
Extremely cold;
An arctic climate
A frigid day
Gelid waters of the North Atlantic
Glacial winds
Icy hands
Polar weather
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Frigid
Devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain;
A frigid greeting
Got a frosty reception
A frozen look on their faces
A glacial handshake
Icy stare
Wintry smile
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Cold
Without advance preparation or introduction
Took the exam cold and passed.
Walked in cold and got the new job.
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Cold
A condition of low air temperature; cold weather
Went out into the cold and got a chill.
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Cold
A viral infection characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory passages and usually accompanied by malaise, fever, chills, coughing, and sneezing. Also called common cold, coryza.
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Cold
(of a thing) Having a low temperature.
A cold wind whistled through the trees.
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Cold
(of the weather) Causing the air to be cold.
The forecast is that it will be very cold today.
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Cold
(of a person or animal) Feeling the sensation of coldness, especially to the point of discomfort.
She was so cold she was shivering.
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Cold
Unfriendly; emotionally distant or unfeeling.
She shot me a cold glance before turning her back.
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Cold
Dispassionate; not prejudiced or partisan; impartial.
Let's look at this tomorrow with a cold head.
He's a nice guy, but the cold facts say we should fire him.
The cold truth is that states rarely undertake military action unless their national interests are at stake.
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Cold
Completely unprepared; without introduction.
He was assigned cold calls for the first three months.
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Cold
Unconscious or deeply asleep; deprived of the metaphorical heat associated with life or consciousness.
I knocked him out cold.
After one more beer he passed out cold.
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Cold
(usually with "have" or "know" transitively) Perfectly, exactly, completely; by heart; down pat.
Practice your music scales until you know them cold.
Try both these maneuvers until you have them cold and can do them in the dark without thinking.
Rehearse your lines until you have them down cold.
Keep that list in front of you, or memorize it cold.
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Cold
(usually with "have" transitively) Cornered; done for.
With that receipt, we have them cold for fraud.
Criminal interrogation. Initially they will dream up explanations faster than you could ever do so, but when they become fatigued, often they will acknowledge that you have them cold.
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Cold
Affecting the sense of smell (as of hunting dogs) only feebly; having lost its odour.
A cold scent
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Cold
Distant; said, in the game of hunting for some object, of a seeker remote from the thing concealed. Compare warm and hot.
You're cold … getting warmer … hot! You've found it!
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Cold
(databases) Rarely used or accessed, and thus able to be relegated to slower storage.
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Cold
(informal) Without compassion; heartless; ruthless.
I can't believe she said that...that was cold!
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Cold
A harsh place; a place of abandonment.
The former politician was left out in the cold after his friends deserted him.
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Cold
(medicine) A common, usually harmless, viral illness, usually with congestion of the nasal passages and sometimes fever.
I caught a miserable cold and had to stay home for a week
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Cold
Without preparation.
The speaker went in cold and floundered for a topic.
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Cold
Deprived of heat, or having a low temperature; not warm or hot; gelid; frigid.
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Cold
Lacking the sensation of warmth; suffering from the absence of heat; chilly; shivering; as, to be cold.
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Cold
Wanting in ardor, intensity, warmth, zeal, or passion; spiritless; unconcerned; reserved.
A cold and unconcerned spectator.
No cold relation is a zealous citizen.
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Cold
Wanting in power to excite; dull; uninteresting.
What a deal of cold business doth a man misspend the better part of life in!
The jest grows cold . . . when in comes on in a second scene.
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Cold
Affecting the sense of smell (as of hunting dogs) but feebly; having lost its odor; as, a cold scent.
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Cold
Not sensitive; not acute.
Smell this business with a sense as coldAs is a dead man's nose.
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Cold
Distant; - said, in the game of hunting for some object, of a seeker remote from the thing concealed.
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Cold
Having a bluish effect. Cf. Warm, 8.
He was slain in cold blood after the fight was over.
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Cold
The sensation produced by the escape of heat; chilliness or chillness.
When she saw her lord prepared to part,A deadly cold ran shivering to her heart.
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Cold
A morbid state of the animal system produced by exposure to cold or dampness; a catarrh.
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Cold
A mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs);
Will they never find a cure for the common cold?
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Cold
The absence of heat;
The coldness made our breath visible
Come in out of the cold
Cold is a vasoconstrictor
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Cold
The sensation produced by low temperatures;
He shivered from the cold
The cold helped clear his head
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Cold
Used of physical coldness; having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration;
A cold climate
A cold room
Dinner has gotten cold
Cold fingers
If you are cold, turn up the heat
A cold beer
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Cold
Extended meanings; especially of psychological coldness; without human warmth or emotion;
A cold unfriendly nod
A cold and unaffectionate person
A cold impersonal manner
Cold logic
The concert left me cold
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Cold
Having lost freshness through passage of time;
A cold trail
Dogs attempting to catch a cold scent
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Cold
Marked by errorless familiarity;
Had her lines cold before rehearsals started
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Cold
Without compunction or human feeling;
In cold blood
Cold-blooded killing
Insensate destruction
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Cold
Feeling or showing no enthusiasm;
A cold audience
A cold response to the new play
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Cold
Unconscious from a blow or shock or intoxication;
The boxer was out cold
Pass out cold
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Cold
It implies a lack of heat or warmth in an environment or object.
The cold metal of the chair felt uncomfortable.
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Cold
Cold is often used to describe a mild to moderate drop in temperature.
He put on a sweater to combat the evening's cold.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "cold" describe both weather and feelings?
Yes, it describes both physical temperatures and a lack of emotional warmth.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is "cold" always negative?
Not necessarily, it can be neutral, like describing weather, or negative, like in relationships.
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What does "cold" generally refer to?
It refers to lower than average temperatures or a lack of warmth.
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What temperatures are considered "cold"?
Temperatures that are noticeably below room temperature but not extremely low.
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Can "cold" refer to illnesses?
Yes, it's commonly used to describe common respiratory infections.
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What does "frigid" specifically indicate?
It indicates extremely low and often dangerously cold temperatures.
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Are "frigid" conditions typically habitable?
Often not, as "frigid" implies inhospitably low temperatures.
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Can "frigid" have a figurative meaning?
Yes, it can describe a severe lack of emotional warmth.
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Is "frigid" used to describe mild coldness?
No, it's reserved for describing intense and severe cold.
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Is "frigid" used in a positive context?
Rarely, as it usually describes extreme and uncomfortable conditions.
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How do people typically react to "cold" vs. "frigid"?
"Cold" often requires some warming measures, while "frigid" demands extensive protection.
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Can technology help in "frigid" conditions?
Yes, advanced technology is often required for survival in "frigid" environments.
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Are certain places always described as "frigid"?
Yes, places with consistently extreme low temperatures, like polar regions.
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Can "frigid" temperatures be dangerous?
Yes, they can pose risks like frostbite and hypothermia.
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How do homes differ in "cold" vs. "frigid" areas?
Homes in "frigid" areas need more insulation and heating systems.
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How do animals adapt to "cold" vs. "frigid"?
They have different survival strategies, with more extreme adaptations needed for "frigid" conditions.
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Is it harder to forecast "frigid" conditions?
Forecasting is similar, but the implications of "frigid" forecasts are more serious.
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Can "cold" and "frigid" be used interchangeably?
Not always, as "frigid" is more specific and intense than "cold."
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Nov 15, 2023
Does clothing for "cold" differ from "frigid" conditions?
Yes, "frigid" conditions require more protective and insulated clothing.
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What activities might be affected by "cold" vs. "frigid"?
"Cold" may slightly alter activities, while "frigid" can severely limit them.
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Nov 15, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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