Shivering in the cold and struggling to find the perfect words to describe it? We’ve got you covered! Our ‘Best 33 Similes to Describe the Chill of Cold in 2025’ will help you capture that frosty feeling with creative comparisons.
A simile is a figure of speech that uses ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two unlike things, creating vivid imagery. These chilling similes will make your cold experiences come to life, from ‘as cold as a polar bear’s den’ to ‘as icy as a glacier.
If you’re bundled up in a snowstorm or feeling the winter breeze, these similes will give you the perfect way to express just how cold it really is. Let’s explore the chill together!”
1. As cold as ice
Meaning: Describes extreme cold or a person who is emotionally distant.
Example Sentence:
- “The wind was as cold as ice, freezing everything in its path.”
- “Her response was as cold as ice, leaving me speechless.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As chilly as a glacier ❄️
- As frosty as a snowflake 🌨️
2. As cold as a winter’s night
Meaning: Describes an intensely cold environment or situation, especially during winter.
Example Sentence:
- “The air was as cold as a winter’s night, biting and unwelcoming.”
- “His hands were as cold as a winter’s night, unable to warm up even by the fire.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As frigid as a December evening ❄️
- As freezing as a snowy night 🌙
3. As cold as a tomb
Meaning: Represents an unnatural, chilling, or deathly cold.
Example Sentence:
- “The silence in the room was as cold as a tomb, heavy with unspoken words.”
- “Her gaze was as cold as a tomb, piercing and lifeless.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As lifeless as a grave 🪦
- As eerie as a crypt ⚰️
4. As cold as a stone
Meaning: Refers to an emotionless or physically cold state.
Example Sentence:
- “His heart was as cold as a stone, unmoved by the suffering of others.”
- “Her hands were as cold as a stone, frozen by the wind.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As unfeeling as a rock 🪨
- As hard as a marble sculpture 🏛️
5. As cold as the Arctic
Meaning: Describes an extremely cold or harsh environment.
Example Sentence:
- “The temperature dropped to as cold as the Arctic, with snowflakes swirling through the air.”
- “His attitude was as cold as the Arctic, distant and frosty.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As freezing as the North Pole 🌍
- As chilly as an ice shelf ❄️
6. As cold as a frozen lake
Meaning: Describes something very cold, like ice or a lack of warmth.
Example Sentence:
- “Her stare was as cold as a frozen lake, without a hint of warmth.”
- “The room felt as cold as a frozen lake, with no source of heat in sight.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As icy as an ice pond 🧊
- As crisp as a frosted field 🌾
7. As cold as an iceberg
Meaning: Refers to something extremely cold, especially something with a hidden depth (like an iceberg).
Example Sentence:
- “The air was as cold as an iceberg, biting and relentless.”
- “His demeanor was as cold as an iceberg, aloof and unapproachable.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As freezing as a glacier 🏔️
- As chilling as an ice floe 🌬️
8. As cold as a snowstorm
Meaning: Describes something harsh, relentless, or overwhelming with coldness.
Example Sentence:
- “The wind was as cold as a snowstorm, stinging my face with every gust.”
- “Her heart was as cold as a snowstorm, indifferent to my plea.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As bitter as a snow squall ❄️
- As chilling as a blizzard 🌪️
9. As cold as a dead body
Meaning: Refers to an extremely cold sensation, usually associated with death or a lifeless state.
Example Sentence:
- “His touch was as cold as a dead body, sending a chill down my spine.”
- “The room felt as cold as a dead body, abandoned and still.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As lifeless as a corpse ⚰️
- As cold as a cadaver 💀
10. As cold as a polar bear’s breath
Meaning: Implies an intense, freezing coldness, often in a distant or isolated place.
Example Sentence:
- “The night was as cold as a polar bear’s breath, the air freezing and thin.”
- “Her voice was as cold as a polar bear’s breath, biting with sarcasm.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As freezing as the Arctic winds 🌬️
- As chilling as a winter tundra 🏔️
11. As cold as metal
Meaning: Describes something very cold and impersonal.
Example Sentence:
- “The door handle was as cold as metal, making my fingers sting with each touch.”
- “His words were as cold as metal, harsh and without care.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As stiff as steel 🦾
- As unfeeling as iron 🔩
12. As cold as a frosty morning
Meaning: Refers to a crisp, chilly, early morning temperature.
Example Sentence:
- “The morning air was as cold as a frosty morning, crisp and biting.”
- “Her gaze was as cold as a frosty morning, sharp and calculating.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As chilly as dawn 🌅
- As biting as early winter 🧣
13. As cold as a refrigerated room
Meaning: Describes a very cold, almost unbearable environment.
Example Sentence:
- “The office felt as cold as a refrigerated room, even with the heater on full blast.”
- “His reception was as cold as a refrigerated room, leaving me feeling unwelcome.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As cold as a freezer ❄️
- As frigid as a walk-in cooler 🧊
14. As cold as an empty grave
Meaning: Refers to an oppressive and eerie cold, evoking a sense of death or isolation.
Example Sentence:
- “The house was as cold as an empty grave, haunted by its silence.”
- “Her response was as cold as an empty grave, leaving no room for warmth.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As still as a cemetery 🪦
- As eerie as a mausoleum ⚰️
15. As cold as a barren desert
Meaning: Describes an empty, lifeless, and hostile cold.
Example Sentence:
- “The night air was as cold as a barren desert, devoid of warmth or life.”
- “His words were as cold as a barren desert, leaving no comfort behind.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As desolate as the Sahara 🏜️
- As empty as the Arctic tundra ❄️
16. As cold as a snow-covered mountain
Meaning: Describes something cold and imposing, like a mountain blanketed with snow.
Example Sentence:
- “The night air was as cold as a snow-covered mountain, still and biting.”
- “His words were as cold as a snow-covered mountain, distant and unreachable.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As freezing as a mountaintop ❄️
- As icy as an alpine peak 🏔️
17. As cold as a wind from the North
Meaning: Refers to a cold, harsh wind, often associated with northern regions.
Example Sentence:
- “The breeze was as cold as a wind from the North, cutting through my jacket.”
- “Her reception was as cold as a wind from the North, distant and unwelcoming.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As icy as a northern gale 🌬️
- As frigid as an arctic blast ❄️
18. As cold as the moonlight
Meaning: Describes a cold that feels ghostly, calm, and eerie, similar to the cold glow of the moon.
Example Sentence:
- “The night was as cold as the moonlight, silent and still.”
- “Her touch was as cold as the moonlight, sending shivers down my spine.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As chilling as the stars ✨
- As frosty as the full moon 🌕
19. As cold as a polar vortex
Meaning: Refers to an intense and harsh cold, often used to describe severe weather conditions.
Example Sentence:
- “The temperature dropped to as cold as a polar vortex, making it unbearable to step outside.”
- “His attitude was as cold as a polar vortex, unyielding and distant.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As freezing as an ice storm 🌨️
- As biting as a cold front 🌬️
20. As cold as a night in Siberia
Meaning: Describes an extremely cold environment, often used for dramatic effect.
Example Sentence:
- “The cold was as harsh as a night in Siberia, seeping through my coat.”
- “His rejection was as cold as a night in Siberia, leaving me feeling abandoned.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As bitter as the Siberian steppe 🌍
- As freezing as a Russian winter ❄️
21. As cold as a frozen pond
Meaning: Describes an unwelcoming cold that freezes everything in its path.
Example Sentence:
- “The field felt as cold as a frozen pond, the wind cutting through the open spaces.”
- “Her heart was as cold as a frozen pond, unmovable and distant.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As icy as a frozen river 🏞️
- As cold as an ice sheet 🌨️
22. As cold as a stormy sea
Meaning: Refers to a cold that’s harsh and turbulent, like a storm at sea.
Example Sentence:
- “The air was as cold as a stormy sea, gusts of wind battering my face.”
- “His tone was as cold as a stormy sea, unpredictable and harsh.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As frigid as a raging ocean 🌊
- As chilling as a tempest 🌪️
23. As cold as a wind in the mountains
Meaning: Describes a cold, sharp, and refreshing wind often found in high altitudes.
Example Sentence:
- “The breeze was as cold as a wind in the mountains, piercing yet invigorating.”
- “Her words were as cold as a wind in the mountains, sharp and unforgiving.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As biting as a mountain gust 🏔️
- As sharp as a high-altitude breeze 🌬️
24. As cold as a forgotten memory
Meaning: Refers to an emotionally distant or cold situation, similar to a memory that’s been left behind.
Example Sentence:
- “Her attitude was as cold as a forgotten memory, distant and unresponsive.”
- “The silence between us was as cold as a forgotten memory, full of regret.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As distant as a lost dream 🌙
- As empty as an old photograph 🖼️
25. As cold as a diamond
Meaning: Describes something hard and emotionally distant, like the coldness of a diamond’s surface.
Example Sentence:
- “Her gaze was as cold as a diamond, unfeeling and unyielding.”
- “The air felt as cold as a diamond, sharp and clear.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As unfeeling as a jewel 💎
- As frosty as a gemstone 🏵️
26. As cold as a chill in the air
Meaning: A subtle yet distinct cold, like the hint of a breeze signaling a temperature drop.
Example Sentence:
- “The evening was as cold as a chill in the air, warning of a storm.”
- “His heart was as cold as a chill in the air, unresponsive and withdrawn.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As crisp as autumn morning air 🍂
- As nippy as a cool breeze 🌬️
27. As cold as a winter breeze
Meaning: Describes the sharp, biting wind that often comes with the winter season.
Example Sentence:
- “The night was as cold as a winter breeze, cutting through my coat.”
- “Her words were as cold as a winter breeze, leaving no warmth behind.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As brisk as a winter gust ❄️
- As freezing as a wintry wind 🌬️
28. As cold as a wolf’s heart
Meaning: Refers to a cold, indifferent, and perhaps ruthless attitude.
Example Sentence:
- “His actions were as cold as a wolf’s heart, devoid of compassion.”
- “Her heart was as cold as a wolf’s heart, uncaring and distant.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As cruel as a predator 🐺
- As heartless as a wild beast 🦁
29. As cold as the wind on a mountaintop
Meaning: Describes a cold that is powerful and harsh, often found in high altitudes.
Example Sentence:
- “The mountain air was as cold as the wind on a mountaintop, biting and intense.”
- “His presence was as cold as the wind on a mountaintop, making everyone uneasy.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As piercing as an alpine breeze 🏞️
- As sharp as a wind in the peaks 🏔️
30. As cold as glass
Meaning: Refers to a cold that’s smooth, clear, and almost impersonal, like the surface of glass.
Example Sentence:
- “Her smile was as cold as glass, hollow and unfeeling.”
- “The room was as cold as glass, sterile and unwelcoming.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As clear as crystal 💎
- As hard as a pane of glass 🪟
31. As cold as a shadow
Meaning: Refers to a cold that’s fleeting and almost intangible, like a shadow.
Example Sentence:
- “The feeling was as cold as a shadow, creeping in without warning.”
- “His emotions were as cold as a shadow, difficult to understand or pinpoint.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As elusive as moonlight 🌙
- As transient as a dusk breeze 🌒
32. As cold as a witch’s heart
Meaning: Refers to a coldness that is malicious or unforgiving, often evoking negative emotions.
Example Sentence:
- “Her words were as cold as a witch’s heart, cruel and spiteful.”
- “The silence in the room felt as cold as a witch’s heart, oppressive and chilling.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As heartless as a sorceress 💀
- As cold as a villain’s touch 🖤
33. As cold as a winter night sky
Meaning: Describes a coldness that is vast, expansive, and seemingly infinite, like the night sky in winter.
Example Sentence:
- “The air felt as cold as a winter night sky, endless and frigid.”
- “His heart was as cold as a winter night sky, devoid of warmth or emotion.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As infinite as a starless night ✨
- As chilling as a frozen dusk 🌙
Conclusion
By exploring these similes for cold, you can add a rich, emotional layer to your writing.
If you’re depicting a harsh winter, an emotionally distant character, or a frosty environment, similes help readers visualize the chill in a vivid and personal way.
Experiment with these comparisons in your own work, and try creating new variations to fit your unique voice.
