cold spell

Thân thiện

A cold spell brings frost to the garden overnight.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A period of cold weather: A "cold spell" refers to a temporary but noticeable period during which the weather is significantly colder than usual for that time of year or location.

Usage

• The term "cold spell" is used to describe a specific, limited duration of cold weather. It implies a contrast with the preceding or typical conditions. It is a countable noun phrase.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The sudden cold spell in April damaged the fruit blossoms.
  • We're expecting a cold spell to move in from the north this weekend.
  • During the cold spell, heating costs rose dramatically.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in/have a cold spell": To be experiencing a period of cold weather.
  • The region has been in a cold spell for over a week now.
• "a bitter/prolonged/severe cold spell": Used with adjectives to specify the nature or intensity of the cold period.
  • The forecast warns of a severe cold spell with sub-zero temperatures.

Variants and Related Words

• Cold snap (n): A very similar term meaning a brief period of very cold weather. It often implies a more sudden and sharper drop in temperature than "cold spell."
  • A sudden cold snap caught everyone by surprise.
• Spell (n): In meteorological contexts, "spell" refers to a period of a particular type of weather (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Cold snap: A short period of cold weather.
• Freeze: A period of freezing weather.
• Frost: A period or condition of frosty weather.

Antonyms

• Heatwave: A prolonged period of excessively hot weather.
• Warm spell: A period of warm weather.

Related Idioms

• "To be left out in the cold": This idiom, while related to the concept of cold, means to be ignored or excluded from a group or activity. It is not a direct variant of "cold spell" but shares the thematic element.
  • When the new project started, she felt left out in the cold.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a spell of cold weather

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cold snap