Not every chill is just cold — and similes for cold help us feel the difference. They paint the sting of a frozen blade, the hush of a snowflake’s kiss, the silence of a frostbitten dawn. They give language to what the body already knows: that cold can be soft or sharp, eerie or comforting, distant or alive. Each phrase opens a window into a different kind of winter.
Best Similes for Cold
1. As cold as ice
Meaning: Lạnh buốt, như chạm vào băng.
In a Sentence:
Her hands were as cold as ice after the snowball fight.
He shivered as if her words were as cold as ice.
Other Ways to Say: Freezing, icy touch, frozen stiff
2. Like a frozen blade
Meaning: Lạnh cắt da, như lưỡi dao băng.
In a Sentence:
The wind felt like a frozen blade against his cheeks.
Each gust of air was like a frozen blade cutting through him.
Other Ways to Say: Piercing chill, icy sting, frostbite sharpness
3. As cold as marble
Meaning: Lạnh và cứng, như đá cẩm thạch.
In a Sentence:
The floor was as cold as marble under her bare feet.
His skin was as cold as marble after the plunge.
Other Ways to Say: Stone-cold, hard chill, unyielding frost
4. Like a winter’s bite
Meaning: Lạnh đau nhức, như bị mùa đông cắn.
In a Sentence:
The air was like a winter’s bite on her exposed skin.
Each step outside met her like a winter’s bite.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp chill, frosty nip, cold snap
5. As cold as steel
Meaning: Lạnh buốt, như kim loại trong giá rét.
In a Sentence:
His grip was as cold as steel in the morning frost.
The doorknob was as cold as steel on that December night.
Other Ways to Say: Iron-cold, metal frost, hard freeze
6. Like a glacial touch
Meaning: Lạnh giá, như chạm vào sông băng.
In a Sentence:
The water felt like a glacial touch on her toes.
His fingers on her shoulder were like a glacial touch.
Other Ways to Say: Ice-bound touch, frozen contact, arctic chill
7. As cold as a crypt
Meaning: Lạnh lẽo, như trong hầm mộ.
In a Sentence:
The basement was as cold as a crypt in winter.
The silence was as cold as a crypt after midnight.
Other Ways to Say: Tomb-like, dead cold, chillingly silent
8. Like a frosty needle
Meaning: Lạnh và sắc, như kim băng giá.
In a Sentence:
The breeze was like a frosty needle on her face.
Each snowflake landed like a frosty needle on his skin.
Other Ways to Say: Icy sting, biting air, frozen prick
9. As cold as a freezer
Meaning: Lạnh cực độ, như trong tủ đông.
In a Sentence:
The room was as cold as a freezer after the heater broke.
His breath fogged in the air—it was as cold as a freezer.
Other Ways to Say: Sub-zero, freezing point, icebox cold
10. Like an arctic chill
Meaning: Lạnh buốt, như gió Bắc Cực.
In a Sentence:
His stare was like an arctic chill, freezing her in place.
The room felt like an arctic chill had swept through.
Other Ways to Say: Polar freeze, deep frost, north wind
11. As cold as a winter’s breath
Meaning: Lạnh giá, như hơi thở của mùa đông.
In a Sentence:
The morning air was as cold as a winter’s breath.
His words chilled her like a winter’s breath in December.
Other Ways to Say: Crisp air, breath of frost, morning chill
12. Like a blizzard’s heart
Meaning: Lạnh khắc nghiệt, như trung tâm của cơn bão tuyết.
In a Sentence:
The storm was like a blizzard’s heart, relentless and icy.
He stood alone in the wind, like a blizzard’s heart.
Other Ways to Say: Storm center, snowstorm core, frozen fury
13. As cold as a polar night
Meaning: Lạnh tối tăm, như đêm ở vùng cực.
In a Sentence:
The wind was as cold as a polar night, biting through her coat.
She braved the hike in cold as a polar night.
Other Ways to Say: Arctic cold, endless night, glacial dark
14. Like a frozen tundra
Meaning: Lạnh và hoang vắng, như vùng đất băng giá.
In a Sentence:
The landscape was like a frozen tundra under the snow.
His soul felt like a frozen tundra—empty and cold.
Other Ways to Say: Ice plains, snowbound land, frost-bitten soil
15. As cold as a glacier’s core
Meaning: Lạnh sâu thẳm, như lõi của sông băng.
In a Sentence:
The cave was as cold as a glacier’s core, chilling her bones.
His silence was as cold as a glacier’s core.
Other Ways to Say: Deep freeze, icy depth, ancient frost
Related Post: 50 Similes for Rain to Spark Your Writing
16. Like a snowstorm’s embrace
Meaning: Lạnh bao trùm, như cái ôm của bão tuyết.
In a Sentence:
The night was like a snowstorm’s embrace, wrapping everything in frost.
She stepped outside into a snowstorm’s embrace.
Other Ways to Say: Icy hug, frosty hold, winter shroud
17. As cold as a frostbitten dawn
Meaning: Lạnh giá, như bình minh tê cóng.
In a Sentence:
The air was as cold as a frostbitten dawn on the mountain.
His tone was as cold as a frostbitten dawn.
Other Ways to Say: Bitter sunrise, frozen morning, chilly light
18. Like an icy gale
Meaning: Lạnh và mạnh, như cơn gió băng giá.
In a Sentence:
The wind was like an icy gale, howling through the trees.
She braced herself as if for an icy gale of disapproval.
Other Ways to Say: Cold blast, frosty wind, arctic rush
19. As cold as a January midnight
Meaning: Lạnh buốt, như nửa đêm tháng Giêng.
In a Sentence:
The lake was as cold as a January midnight under the stars.
Her absence was as cold as a January midnight.
Other Ways to Say: Deep winter, midnight freeze, harsh chill
20. Like a winter’s claw
Meaning: Lạnh và tàn nhẫn, như móng vuốt mùa đông.
In a Sentence:
The chill was like a winter’s claw, gripping her tightly.
Fear came over him like a winter’s claw.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen grip, icy clutch, frost fang
21. As cold as a stone heart
Meaning: Lạnh lùng, vô cảm, như trái tim bằng đá.
In a Sentence:
His response was as cold as a stone heart, devoid of empathy.
She spoke as cold as a stone heart—no feeling at all.
Other Ways to Say: Heart of ice, frozen soul, unfeeling core
22. Like a frozen smile
Meaning: Lạnh nhạt, như nụ cười gượng gạo.
In a Sentence:
Her greeting was like a frozen smile, lacking warmth.
The photo captured a moment like a frozen smile.
Other Ways to Say: Stiff grin, icy expression, polite mask
23. As cold as a stranger’s glance
Meaning: Lạnh lùng, như cái nhìn của người lạ.
In a Sentence:
His eyes were as cold as a stranger’s glance in the crowd.
She turned away with a look as cold as a stranger’s glance.
Other Ways to Say: Distant look, detached stare, blank gaze
24. Like an icy silence
Meaning: Lạnh lẽo, căng thẳng như sự im lặng đóng băng.
In a Sentence:
The room was like an icy silence after the argument.
He left behind an atmosphere like an icy silence.
Other Ways to Say: Chilling quiet, frozen stillness, cold hush
25. As cold as a loveless touch
Meaning: Lạnh nhạt, như cái chạm thiếu yêu thương.
In a Sentence:
His embrace was as cold as a loveless touch, empty of care.
Their handshake felt as cold as a loveless touch.
Other Ways to Say: Hollow gesture, emotionless contact, distant hold
26. Like a winter’s scorn
Meaning: Lạnh lùng, khinh miệt như gió mùa đông.
In a Sentence:
Her words were like a winter’s scorn, cutting deeply.
He turned away with a look like a winter’s scorn.
Other Ways to Say: Frosty insult, biting remark, icy disdain
27. As cold as a forgotten promise
Meaning: Lạnh lẽo, như lời hứa bị lãng quên.
In a Sentence:
His apology was as cold as a forgotten promise.
The gesture felt as cold as a forgotten promise.
Other Ways to Say: Empty vow, lost assurance, silent regret
28. Like a frosty rejection
Meaning: Lạnh lùng, như sự từ chối không chút cảm xúc.
In a Sentence:
Her refusal was like a frosty rejection, chilling his hopes.
The letter came like a frosty rejection in the mail.
Other Ways to Say: Cold denial, iced-out answer, sharp refusal
29. As cold as a lifeless stare
Meaning: Lạnh lùng, như ánh nhìn không có linh hồn.
In a Sentence:
His gaze was as cold as a lifeless stare, unnerving her.
She looked back with a face as cold as a lifeless stare.
Other Ways to Say: Dead look, emotionless eyes, vacant gaze
30. Like a glacial rebuke
Meaning: Lạnh giá, như lời trách móc từ băng đá.
In a Sentence:
Her criticism was like a glacial rebuke, freezing the room.
He spoke with words like a glacial rebuke.
Other Ways to Say: Icy condemnation, frozen scolding, sharp cold reply
31. As cold as a frozen lake
Meaning: Lạnh buốt và tĩnh lặng như mặt hồ đóng băng.
In a Sentence:
The air was as cold as a frozen lake in December.
Her stare was as cold as a frozen lake—still and unwelcoming.
Other Ways to Say: Ice-cold surface, still as frost, winter glass
32. Like a snowflake’s kiss
Meaning: Lạnh nhẹ nhàng, như nụ hôn của bông tuyết.
In a Sentence:
The breeze felt like a snowflake’s kiss on her cheeks.
Each drop of rain was like a snowflake’s kiss in spring air.
Other Ways to Say: Icy peck, frost’s caress, wintry kiss
33. As cold as a mountain peak
Meaning: Lạnh giá, như đỉnh núi phủ tuyết.
In a Sentence:
The wind was as cold as a mountain peak at dawn.
His expression was as cold as a mountain peak—high and distant.
Other Ways to Say: Alpine chill, summit frost, sky-high freeze
34. Like a frosted windowpane
Meaning: Lạnh và mịn, như kính phủ sương giá.
In a Sentence:
Her touch was like a frosted windowpane, cool and smooth.
The room’s silence felt like a frosted windowpane.
Other Ways to Say: Cold sheet, icy glass, winter pane
35. As cold as a winter moon
Meaning: Lạnh và xa xôi, như ánh trăng mùa đông.
In a Sentence:
The night was as cold as a winter moon, silent and pale.
Her tone was as cold as a winter moon—beautiful but distant.
Other Ways to Say: Chilled moonlight, distant light, icy glow
Related Post: 50 Similes for Life That Paint the Journey
36. Like an icy stream
Meaning: Lạnh và chảy nhanh, như dòng suối băng giá.
In a Sentence:
The water was like an icy stream, shocking her senses.
His words ran like an icy stream through the conversation.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen brook, glacial trickle, cold current
37. As cold as a snowdrift
Meaning: Lạnh và chất đầy, như đống tuyết cao.
In a Sentence:
The room was as cold as a snowdrift after the window broke.
Their silence piled up as cold as a snowdrift.
Other Ways to Say: Frosted mound, chilling pile, white heap
38. Like a frozen waterfall
Meaning: Lạnh và bất động, như thác nước bị đóng băng.
In a Sentence:
Her heart felt like a frozen waterfall, still and cold.
His grief froze him like a frozen waterfall.
Other Ways to Say: Ice cascade, winter fall, chilling drop
39. As cold as an iceberg’s edge
Meaning: Lạnh sắc bén, như cạnh của tảng băng trôi.
In a Sentence:
The wind was as cold as an iceberg’s edge, cutting through her.
Her reply was as cold as an iceberg’s edge—sharp and emotionless.
Other Ways to Say: Glacial blade, polar rim, frost edge
40. Like a frost-covered field
Meaning: Lạnh lẽo, lấp lánh như cánh đồng phủ sương giá.
In a Sentence:
The morning was like a frost-covered field, crisp and bright.
Her memory felt like a frost-covered field—beautiful yet cold.
Other Ways to Say: Icy plain, glittering frost, cold meadow
41. As cold as a shiver’s grip
Meaning: Cảm giác lạnh đến mức khiến toàn thân run rẩy.
In a Sentence:
The air was as cold as a shiver’s grip in the forest.
The wind clung to him as cold as a shiver’s grip.
Other Ways to Say: Bone-chilling grasp, icy hold, trembling chill
42. Like a frozen memory
Meaning: Lạnh và xa xăm, gợi cảm giác kỷ niệm bị đóng băng.
In a Sentence:
Her past was like a frozen memory, distant and cold.
That moment sat in his mind like a frozen memory.
Other Ways to Say: Icy recollection, chilled echo, frostbitten thought
43. As cold as a sleepless night
Meaning: Lạnh và không thoải mái như một đêm không ngủ.
In a Sentence:
The room was as cold as a sleepless night, restless and icy.
His heart felt as cold as a sleepless night.
Other Ways to Say: Restless frost, insomniac chill, midnight freeze
44. Like an icy whisper
Meaning: Lạnh nhẹ nhàng nhưng khiến người ta rợn người, như lời thì thầm lạnh lẽo.
In a Sentence:
The breeze was like an icy whisper through the pines.
His warning slid in like an icy whisper.
Other Ways to Say: Frosted murmur, winter hush, chilling breath
45. As cold as a widow’s tears
Meaning: Lạnh và buồn như giọt nước mắt của người góa phụ.
In a Sentence:
Her voice was as cold as a widow’s tears, full of sorrow.
The silence hung as cold as a widow’s tears.
Other Ways to Say: Mourning frost, grief-chilled, sorrowful ice
46. Like a frosty dawn
Meaning: Lạnh nhẹ, tươi mới như bình minh trong mùa đông.
In a Sentence:
The morning was like a frosty dawn, clear and biting.
Her arrival felt like a frosty dawn—new yet sharp.
Other Ways to Say: Winter sunrise, chilly glow, ice-touched morning
47. As cold as a forgotten grave
Meaning: Lạnh và rợn người như một ngôi mộ bị lãng quên.
In a Sentence:
The attic was as cold as a forgotten grave, eerie and still.
Her gaze was as cold as a forgotten grave.
Other Ways to Say: Abandoned tomb, haunted chill, ghostly rest
48. Like a winter’s lullaby
Meaning: Mưa hoặc tuyết rơi êm ái như một bài ru mùa đông.
In a Sentence:
The snowfall was like a winter’s lullaby, soft and cold.
The night hummed like a winter’s lullaby.
Other Ways to Say: Snowy tune, frosty hush, chilly cradle song
49. As cold as a distant star
Meaning: Lạnh, xa cách và không thể với tới như ngôi sao xa.
In a Sentence:
His words were as cold as a distant star, unreachable.
Her affection felt as cold as a distant star.
Other Ways to Say: Celestial chill, cosmic frost, unreachable glow
50. Like an icy veil
Meaning: Lạnh và mờ mịt như màn sương băng giá.
In a Sentence:
The fog was like an icy veil draped over the hills.
Her mood descended like an icy veil.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen curtain, cold mist, frosted screen
Exercise to Practice – Similes for Cold
- Her hands were __________ after walking through the snow without gloves.
- The wind hit him __________, like it could slice through his jacket.
- The room felt __________, lifeless and still, as if no one had entered for years.
- His stare was __________, sending a chill down her spine.
- That morning breeze was __________, brushing her skin like something from a fairytale.
- The lake was __________, like standing on a sheet of glass.
- After the fight, the silence between them was __________.
- Her heart felt __________, like it hadn’t been touched in years.
- The mountain air was __________, even in the middle of summer.
- He looked at her with eyes __________, as if they belonged to a stranger.
Answer
- as cold as ice
- like a frozen blade
- as cold as a crypt
- like an arctic chill
- like a snowflake’s kiss
- as cold as a frozen lake
- like an icy silence
- as cold as a stone heart
- as cold as a mountain peak
- as cold as a stranger’s glance
Conclusion
From frozen blades to icy whispers, similes for cold do more than describe temperature — they awaken sensation. They let us feel the steel in the air, the silence in the snow, the sting on bare skin. Each one is a tiny winter scene, simple but vivid, easy to remember, hard to forget. In every chill, there’s a story waiting to be told.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
