Cold isn’t just a feeling—it can wrap around you like a blanket made of ice, sneak into your bones, or even make your teeth chatter like a drumroll. But when we want to describe just how freezing something feels, saying “It’s cold” might not capture the full chill of the moment. This is where similes become incredibly helpful, because they compare one thing to another using the words “like” or “as,” and they allow us to paint stronger, clearer pictures in the minds of our listeners or readers.
In this blog post, we’re diving into 58 creative and expressive similes for cold that can help you describe everything from a frosty winter wind to a person’s icy attitude in a way that’s vivid, relatable, and often a little bit fun. These similes aren’t just for writers—they’re great for students, storytellers, or anyone who’s ever struggled to explain just how freezing something felt.
So whether you’ve ever felt as cold as a popsicle in a snowstorm or as frozen as leftover lasagna from the back of the freezer, this list will give you plenty of new and exciting ways to describe the icy moments in your life with clarity and a touch of creativity.
Similes for Cold
1. Cold as ice
Meaning: Extremely cold and freezing to the touch.
In a Sentence: Her hands were as cold as ice after waiting for the bus in the snow without gloves.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen solid, Chilled to the bone
2. Cold as a snowman’s nose
Meaning: As chilly as something left outside in the snow.
In a Sentence: My toes were cold as a snowman’s nose after walking through the slush in thin socks.
Other Ways to Say: Frostbitten, Numb with cold
3. Cold as the North Pole
Meaning: Very, very cold—like the freezing temperatures in the Arctic.
In a Sentence: The wind this morning was cold as the North Pole, and it felt like it sliced right through my jacket.
Other Ways to Say: Arctic blast, Polar chill
4. Cold as a freezer full of ice cream
Meaning: Uncomfortably or surprisingly cold, like opening a full freezer.
In a Sentence: I opened the basement door and was hit with air that felt cold as a freezer full of ice cream.
Other Ways to Say: Frosty, Deep freeze
5. Cold as a witch’s heart
Meaning: Used humorously or dramatically to describe something heartlessly or eerily cold.
In a Sentence: The classroom was cold as a witch’s heart, and even the heater seemed to have given up.
Other Ways to Say: Bitter cold, Emotionless chill
6. Cold as an abandoned cabin in winter
Meaning: Completely cold, lonely, and lifeless like a place left untouched in deep winter.
In a Sentence: The house was cold as an abandoned cabin in winter after the power went out last night.
Other Ways to Say: Lifelessly cold, Ice-cold silence
7. Cold as the dark side of the moon
Meaning: As frigid and mysterious as space’s shadowy side.
In a Sentence: The water from the hose was cold as the dark side of the moon, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
Other Ways to Say: Space cold, Otherworldly chill
8. Cold as steel in the snow
Meaning: Sharp and biting cold, like metal left in winter.
In a Sentence: His handshake was cold as steel in the snow, and I immediately pulled my hand back.
Other Ways to Say: Ice cold, Biting cold
9. Cold as a grave
Meaning: Describes a deep, eerie coldness that feels heavy and unsettling.
In a Sentence: The old stone cellar was cold as a grave, and I didn’t want to stay there long.
Other Ways to Say: Deathly chill, Hauntingly cold
10. Cold as a block of frozen meat
Meaning: As solid and freezing as food taken straight out of the freezer.
In a Sentence: My pillow felt cold as a block of frozen meat when I woke up this morning.
Other Ways to Say: Rock hard cold, Stiff with frost
11. Cold as the wind on a mountain peak
Meaning: Piercingly cold, like wind at high altitudes.
In a Sentence: The breeze coming off the lake felt cold as the wind on a mountain peak, rushing right through my thickest coat.
Other Ways to Say: Wind-whipped cold, Chilling blast
12. Cold as a forgotten cup of coffee
Meaning: Disappointingly cold, especially when you expected warmth.
In a Sentence: Her smile was cold as a forgotten cup of coffee—once warm, but now completely lifeless.
Other Ways to Say: Emotionless, Lukewarm at best
13. Cold as Antarctica at midnight
Meaning: As extreme and intense as the coldest place on Earth.
In a Sentence: The walk to school felt cold as Antarctica at midnight, and I couldn’t feel my ears by the time I arrived.
Other Ways to Say: Sub-zero chill, Unbearably freezing
14. Cold as a marble floor in winter
Meaning: Sharp, sudden cold that surprises you, especially under bare feet.
In a Sentence: Stepping out of bed onto the tile was cold as a marble floor in winter—jarring and immediate.
Other Ways to Say: Bone-chilling, Hard and cold
15. Cold as the underside of your pillow
Meaning: That familiar, pleasant chill from untouched fabric.
In a Sentence: Her touch was cold as the underside of your pillow, cool and soothing against my warm skin.
Other Ways to Say: Comfortably cold, Refreshing chill
16. Cold as a metal bench in January
Meaning: Harsh and uncomfortable cold that’s hard to sit with.
In a Sentence: The park bench was cold as a metal bench in January, and it made me jump right back up.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp cold, Surface chill
17. Cold as a winter morning before sunrise
Meaning: Deep, still coldness that comes before the day begins.
In a Sentence: The air was cold as a winter morning before sunrise—silent, frosty, and unmoving.
Other Ways to Say: Pre-dawn freeze, Breath-stealing cold
18. Cold as a frog’s belly
Meaning: Slippery and unexpectedly cold.
In a Sentence: The mud felt cold as a frog’s belly when I slipped into the puddle.
Other Ways to Say: Slimy cold, Wet chill
19. Cold as a snow-covered windshield
Meaning: As cold and foggy as untouched glass in the snow.
In a Sentence: My fingers were cold as a snow-covered windshield before I could even find my gloves.
Other Ways to Say: Glassy chill, Ice-layered cold
20. Cold as a coin in the freezer
Meaning: Small but intensely cold, like metal in ice.
In a Sentence: Her stare was cold as a coin in the freezer, shiny but without a hint of warmth.
Other Ways to Say: Chilling look, Frosty glare
21. Cold as the end of a popsicle
Meaning: So cold it starts to hurt just a little.
In a Sentence: The air felt cold as the end of a popsicle—sweet at first but then painfully icy.
Other Ways to Say: Stinging cold, Freezing burn
22. Cold as a lonely snowflake
Meaning: Delicate, fleeting cold that leaves an impression.
In a Sentence: His touch was cold as a lonely snowflake drifting through the air.
Other Ways to Say: Gentle cold, Fleeting chill
23. Cold as your nose in December
Meaning: Familiar coldness that’s easy to relate to.
In a Sentence: My fingers were cold as your nose in December after just ten minutes outside.
Other Ways to Say: Nippy, Classic winter cold
24. Cold as a ghost’s whisper
Meaning: Quiet, spooky cold that makes your spine tingle.
In a Sentence: The hallway was cold as a ghost’s whisper, and I got goosebumps without knowing why.
Other Ways to Say: Chilling presence, Creepy cold
25. Cold as a broken furnace in January
Meaning: Miserable cold when you need warmth the most.
In a Sentence: The house was cold as a broken furnace in January, and we all huddled under the blankets.
Other Ways to Say: Deep freeze, Emergency cold
26. Cold as the tip of an icicle
Meaning: Piercing cold that feels dangerously sharp.
In a Sentence: Her words were cold as the tip of an icicle—sharp, pointed, and meant to sting.
Other Ways to Say: Cutting cold, Ice-tipped
27. Cold as a winter wind off the lake
Meaning: Moist, biting cold that carries over water.
In a Sentence: That breeze was cold as a winter wind off the lake, and it made my cheeks burn.
Other Ways to Say: Windy chill, Lakefront freeze
28. Cold as the back of a metal chair
Meaning: Unpleasant, quick-to-chill cold.
In a Sentence: The seat was cold as the back of a metal chair in a snowstorm, and I instantly regretted sitting down.
Other Ways to Say: Sudden chill, Uncomfortable cold
29. Cold as a snowball down your shirt
Meaning: Sudden and shocking cold that makes you jump.
In a Sentence: That splash of water was cold as a snowball down your shirt—I shrieked and jumped up like lightning.
Other Ways to Say: Sneaky cold, Shock cold
30. Cold as a penguin’s beak
Meaning: Funny, visual cold that feels sharp and cute.
In a Sentence: My hands were cold as a penguin’s beak even with gloves on.
Other Ways to Say: Adorably cold, Beaky chill
31. Cold as midnight in the Arctic
Meaning: Utterly freezing, silent, and still—like the coldest time in the coldest place.
In a Sentence: The air outside felt cold as midnight in the Arctic, with no sound except my boots crunching in the snow.
Other Ways to Say: Utterly frozen, Deep-space cold
32. Cold as the ice cubes at the bottom of a drink
Meaning: Small but stubborn cold that lingers.
In a Sentence: The tile floor was cold as the ice cubes at the bottom of a drink, numbing my feet with every step.
Other Ways to Say: Lingering cold, Icy chill
33. Cold as winter’s breath
Meaning: Cold that feels alive, like it’s whispering across your skin.
In a Sentence: The wind crept around the corner cold as winter’s breath, making me pull my scarf tighter.
Other Ways to Say: Breathing cold, Whispering frost
34. Cold as the first snowflake of the season
Meaning: Cold that’s exciting, fresh, and just beginning.
In a Sentence: The moment I opened the front door, the air hit me cold as the first snowflake of the season—crisp and clean.
Other Ways to Say: Early frost, Beginning chill
35. Cold as forgotten leftovers
Meaning: Unloved and very cold, like something no one wants anymore.
In a Sentence: His attitude was cold as forgotten leftovers—left out, unappealing, and stiff.
Other Ways to Say: Rejected cold, Left-behind chill
36. Cold as a cave in the mountains
Meaning: Damp and chilling cold that settles into your bones.
In a Sentence: That stone hallway felt cold as a cave in the mountains, dark and echoing with icy silence.
Other Ways to Say: Ancient cold, Natural chill
37. Cold as a broken heart
Meaning: Emotional cold that hits deeper than temperature.
In a Sentence: She gave me a look that was cold as a broken heart—empty, silent, and full of pain.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional frost, Icy rejection
38. Cold as a coin on the sidewalk
Meaning: Sudden and unexpected cold, especially from metal.
In a Sentence: I picked up the key and it was cold as a coin on the sidewalk in winter—shockingly icy to the touch.
Other Ways to Say: Unnoticed chill, Street cold
39. Cold as a statue’s hand
Meaning: Lifeless and frozen, without any warmth.
In a Sentence: His fingers were cold as a statue’s hand, unmoving and solid from the winter air.
Other Ways to Say: Stone cold, Lifeless chill
40. Cold as your feet in the morning
Meaning: That everyday relatable chill that makes you hop around.
In a Sentence: My feet were cold as your feet in the morning when I forgot my socks.
Other Ways to Say: Everyday chill, Floor freeze
41. Cold as silence in the snow
Meaning: Still and quiet cold that feels peaceful and eerie.
In a Sentence: The forest was cold as silence in the snow, where everything had paused in frozen time.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen silence, Quiet cold
42. Cold as the first dip in the lake
Meaning: Surprising and strong, but not always unpleasant.
In a Sentence: The water was cold as the first dip in the lake—enough to make me squeal, but exciting too.
Other Ways to Say: Refreshing shock, Wake-up cold
43. Cold as an ice pack on sore skin
Meaning: Intense and targeted cold, helpful but sharp.
In a Sentence: The metal railing felt cold as an ice pack on sore skin—relieving, but it stung at first.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp chill, Numbing cold
44. Cold as a snow globe world
Meaning: Magical but totally frozen.
In a Sentence: The entire street looked cold as a snow globe world, pretty but completely frozen in time.
Other Ways to Say: Storybook cold, Enchanted freeze
45. Cold as a snow angel’s back
Meaning: Icy cold from lying in the snow.
In a Sentence: After we made snow angels, our jackets were cold as a snow angel’s back—wet, cold, and full of snow.
Other Ways to Say: Soaked chill, Icy backside
46. Cold as an empty fireplace
Meaning: Cold that should have been warm, but wasn’t.
In a Sentence: The cabin was cold as an empty fireplace—promising heat, but delivering nothing but stone and shadows.
Other Ways to Say: Hollow chill, Unlit cold
47. Cold as moonlight on metal
Meaning: Shiny, sharp, and glowing with a strange kind of chill.
In a Sentence: Her necklace felt cold as moonlight on metal, both beautiful and biting.
Other Ways to Say: Silvery cold, Reflective chill
48. Cold as a blizzard’s whisper
Meaning: Quiet but powerful cold that surrounds everything.
In a Sentence: The snow drifted down cold as a blizzard’s whisper, softly covering the world in white frost.
Other Ways to Say: Snowy silence, Soft storm
49. Cold as a lizard’s skin
Meaning: Odd, dry cold that doesn’t feel natural.
In a Sentence: The basement walls were cold as a lizard’s skin—dry, strange, and unwelcoming.
Other Ways to Say: Unnatural cold, Creepy chill
50. Cold as your breath in the air
Meaning: Everyday winter cold you can see and feel.
In a Sentence: I stepped outside and it was cold as your breath in the air—visible and instant.
Other Ways to Say: Breath cloud cold, Instant freeze
51. Cold as a closed-up cabin
Meaning: Cold that comes from disuse and stillness.
In a Sentence: The attic was cold as a closed-up cabin, filled with dust and forgotten drafts.
Other Ways to Say: Unused cold, Stale chill
52. Cold as a snowplow’s blade
Meaning: Industrial cold, heavy and practical.
In a Sentence: That metal fence was cold as a snowplow’s blade when I leaned against it.
Other Ways to Say: Mechanic chill, Steel cold
53. Cold as a milkshake in winter
Meaning: Double cold that feels silly but real.
In a Sentence: Drinking that smoothie outside felt cold as a milkshake in winter—fun, but probably a bad idea.
Other Ways to Say: Overkill cold, Double freeze
54. Cold as a library in January
Meaning: Silent, smart cold—still, but biting.
In a Sentence: The classroom was cold as a library in January, filled with quiet and cold fingers.
Other Ways to Say: Academic chill, Study cold
55. Cold as a wolf’s stare
Meaning: Cold that feels intense and direct, like being watched.
In a Sentence: His glance was cold as a wolf’s stare—unmoving, and kind of scary.
Other Ways to Say: Predatory chill, Wild cold
56. Cold as a snowflake’s kiss
Meaning: Gentle, brief, but icy cold.
In a Sentence: Her touch was cold as a snowflake’s kiss—barely there, but enough to leave a chill.
Other Ways to Say: Delicate cold, Momentary frost
57. Cold as an unopened soda in a cooler
Meaning: Refreshing cold that makes you wake up.
In a Sentence: That air was cold as an unopened soda in a cooler—surprisingly crisp and oddly satisfying.
Other Ways to Say: Tingly cold, Refreshing blast
58. Cold as the silence after a storm
Meaning: Still, heavy cold that lingers after big emotion.
In a Sentence: The world felt cold as the silence after a storm—quiet, gray, and unmoving.
Other Ways to Say: Post-storm chill, Emotional stillness
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks:
- When I stepped outside in my pajamas, the air was as cold as a _____________.
- Her hands were cold as a _____________ when she touched my cheek.
- The basement was cold as a _____________ after the power went out.
- I picked up the doorknob and it was cold as a _____________.
- His stare felt cold as a _____________ when I asked for help.
- The water was cold as a _____________ when I jumped in.
- Our attic is always cold as a _____________, even in spring.
- That glass of milk tasted cold as a _____________ right from the fridge.
- My toes were cold as a _____________ in those thin shoes.
- The hallway was cold as a _____________, and it made my skin crawl.
Answers
coin, snowman’s nose, closed-up cabin, snowplow’s blade, wolf’s stare, first dip in the lake, cave in the mountains, unopened soda, marble floor, ghost’s whisper
Conclusion
Similes are powerful tools that make our language more descriptive, playful, and vivid—especially when trying to describe something as ordinary yet intense as cold. By comparing freezing sensations to things we already know—like snowflakes, frozen coins, or cold-hearted glares—we give life to our words and help others feel exactly what we mean. So whether you’re writing, speaking, or just trying to make your friends laugh, these similes for cold will keep your expression sharp, clear, and cool as ice.