Similes are a fun and creative way to describe things by comparing them with something else using “like” or “as.
” When it comes to cold weather, similes can paint vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
Whether you’re writing a poem, a story, or simply want to spice up your English, these similes for cold weather will help you express the icy chill in unique ways. Let’s explore them!
What is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech where two different things are compared using the words “like” or “as.” For example, “as cold as ice” compares the weather to ice, showing extreme coldness in a simple yet powerful way.
5 Quick Similes for Cold Weather
| Simile | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| As cold as ice | Extremely cold | The night was as cold as ice, and the wind cut through my coat. |
| Like walking into a freezer | Very chilly, biting cold | Stepping outside felt like walking into a freezer. |
| As frosty as snow | Very frosty and chilly | Her hands were as frosty as snow after the snowball fight. |
| Cold like steel | Hard, cold, and unwelcoming | His handshake was cold like steel, matching the winter air. |
| As biting as frost | Sharp, painful cold | The wind was as biting as frost, making everyone shiver. |
Full List of 30+ Similes for Cold Weather
1. As cold as ice
- Meaning: Freezing cold.
- Definition: Compares coldness to the chill of ice.
- Example 1: The wind outside was as cold as ice.
- Example 2: Her hands felt as cold as ice after walking without gloves.
2. Like walking into a freezer
- Meaning: Suddenly very cold.
- Definition: Stepping into freezing temperatures.
- Example 1: Opening the door was like walking into a freezer.
- Example 2: The cabin felt like walking into a freezer without heating.
3. As frosty as snow
- Meaning: Covered in frost or extremely cold.
- Definition: Compares chill to snowy frost.
- Example 1: His words were as frosty as snow.
- Example 2: The ground was as frosty as snow in the morning.
4. Cold like steel
- Meaning: Hard, unfeeling cold.
- Definition: Steel’s icy touch is compared to cold weather.
- Example 1: The bench was cold like steel under the winter sky.
- Example 2: His stare was cold like steel, just like the night.
5. As biting as frost
- Meaning: Sharp, painful cold.
- Definition: Cold that stings like frost.
- Example 1: The air was as biting as frost.
- Example 2: Her cheeks turned red in the wind as biting as frost.
6. As chilly as a tomb
- Meaning: Deathly cold.
- Definition: The coldness of a tomb.
- Example 1: The basement was as chilly as a tomb.
- Example 2: His smile was as chilly as a tomb.
7. Like a frozen lake
- Meaning: Still and icy cold.
- Definition: Weather compared to frozen water.
- Example 1: The silence was like a frozen lake.
- Example 2: The garden felt like a frozen lake at dawn.
8. As numbing as snow
- Meaning: So cold it numbs.
- Definition: Snow’s coldness as a comparison.
- Example 1: His touch was as numbing as snow.
- Example 2: The night air was as numbing as snow.
9. Cold like marble
- Meaning: Smooth, lifeless cold.
- Definition: Marble’s chilly surface compared to weather.
- Example 1: Her skin felt cold like marble.
- Example 2: The air was cold like marble.
10. As freezing as the Arctic
- Meaning: Extremely icy.
- Definition: Weather compared to the Arctic.
- Example 1: The storm was as freezing as the Arctic.
- Example 2: His hands were as freezing as the Arctic.
11. Like ice in my veins
- Meaning: Sudden chilling fear.
- Definition: Describes deep, inner cold.
- Example 1: Fear spread like ice in my veins.
- Example 2: The cold night was like ice in my veins.
12. As frosty as glass
- Meaning: Transparent and frozen.
- Definition: Cold compared to frosted glass.
- Example 1: The window was as frosty as glass.
- Example 2: Her glare was as frosty as glass.
13. Cold like a shadow
- Meaning: Dark and chilling.
- Definition: Shadows carry a cold, eerie feel.
- Example 1: The forest felt cold like a shadow.
- Example 2: His presence was cold like a shadow.
14. As icy as a glacier
- Meaning: Deep, ancient cold.
- Definition: Glacier’s chill as a comparison.
- Example 1: Her silence was as icy as a glacier.
- Example 2: The mountain air was as icy as a glacier.
15. Like the breath of winter
- Meaning: Piercingly cold.
- Definition: Compares air to winter’s breath.
- Example 1: The wind was like the breath of winter.
- Example 2: His words came like the breath of winter.
16. As cold as stone
- Meaning: Unmoving and icy.
- Definition: Stone’s chill compared to coldness.
- Example 1: His face was as cold as stone.
- Example 2: The cave was as cold as stone.
17. Like frost on a windowpane
- Meaning: Cold and delicate.
- Definition: Compares chill to frosty glass.
- Example 1: Her touch was like frost on a windowpane.
- Example 2: The dawn felt like frost on a windowpane.
18. As frigid as the North Pole
- Meaning: Freezing cold.
- Definition: Weather compared to polar chill.
- Example 1: The valley was as frigid as the North Pole.
- Example 2: The air was as frigid as the North Pole.
19. Cold like an empty room
- Meaning: Lonely and chilling.
- Definition: Compares cold to emptiness.
- Example 1: The house felt cold like an empty room.
- Example 2: His voice was cold like an empty room.
20. As frozen as a statue
- Meaning: Still and cold.
- Definition: Statue’s frozen stillness.
- Example 1: He stood as frozen as a statue.
- Example 2: Her fingers were as frozen as a statue.
21. Like a winter’s bite
- Meaning: Sharp, stinging cold.
- Definition: Cold compared to winter’s sting.
- Example 1: The breeze was like a winter’s bite.
- Example 2: The air felt like a winter’s bite.
22. As crisp as morning frost
- Meaning: Sharp, fresh cold.
- Definition: Frosty mornings compared to crispness.
- Example 1: His suit was as crisp as morning frost.
- Example 2: The morning felt as crisp as morning frost.
23. Cold like a grave
- Meaning: Haunting, deathly cold.
- Definition: Compares coldness to the chill of a grave.
- Example 1: The room was cold like a grave.
- Example 2: His touch was cold like a grave.
24. As icy as a blade
- Meaning: Sharp and chilling.
- Definition: Compares cold to the edge of a blade.
- Example 1: His smile was as icy as a blade.
- Example 2: The wind was as icy as a blade.
25. Like frozen tears
- Meaning: Sad, cold imagery.
- Definition: Cold compared to icy tears.
- Example 1: Her cheeks felt like frozen tears.
- Example 2: The icicles hung like frozen tears.
26. As chilling as midnight frost
- Meaning: Hauntingly cold.
- Definition: Night frost compared to icy weather.
- Example 1: His voice was as chilling as midnight frost.
- Example 2: The air was as chilling as midnight frost.
27. Cold like forgotten ashes
- Meaning: Lifeless cold.
- Definition: Ashes that have lost warmth.
- Example 1: The fire was cold like forgotten ashes.
- Example 2: His words were cold like forgotten ashes.
28. As icy as crystal
- Meaning: Clear, frozen cold.
- Definition: Crystal’s chill as a metaphor.
- Example 1: The air was as icy as crystal.
- Example 2: Her gaze was as icy as crystal.
29. Like snow in your veins
- Meaning: Deep, freezing cold.
- Definition: Inner chill compared to snow.
- Example 1: Fear was like snow in my veins.
- Example 2: The night felt like snow in your veins.
30. As frigid as outer space
- Meaning: Beyond freezing.
- Definition: The cold of space as comparison.
- Example 1: The desert at night was as frigid as outer space.
- Example 2: Her silence was as frigid as outer space.
How to Use These Similes in Your Writing (Creative Tips)
Similes are a writer’s secret weapon. Here are a few ways you can use them:
- Poems: Add vivid imagery with similes like “as icy as a glacier” to bring emotions alive.
- Stories: Describe settings—“The forest was cold like a shadow” instantly sets a spooky mood.
- Songs: Use emotional similes such as “like frozen tears” to add depth to lyrics.
- Essays: Similes can make your writing more engaging—perfect for descriptive essays.
FAQs
What is a simile for cold weather?
A simile for cold weather is a comparison that describes chilliness using “like” or “as,” such as “as cold as ice.”
Why use similes to describe cold weather?
Similes make writing more expressive, helping readers feel the temperature rather than just reading about it.
Can I use these similes in formal writing?
Yes, but use them sparingly. They are best for descriptive or creative writing rather than technical essays.
What is the most common simile for cold?
The most popular one is “as cold as ice”, widely used in both everyday speech and literature.
How do similes differ from metaphors?
Similes use “like” or “as” (as cold as stone), while metaphors state something is something else (the stone of winter).
Conclusion
Cold weather similes bring writing to life, turning ordinary descriptions into powerful imagery.
From “as cold as ice” to “as frigid as outer space,” these comparisons help readers truly feel the chill.
Next time you write, try sprinkling in these similes—you’ll instantly create stronger, more memorable descriptions.
