These words refer to a relatively low temperature or to an unexcited, disconcerted or unfriendly attitude. In reference to temperature, cold may refer to something desirably low-key: a col d drink on a hot day. Aside from this situation, however, the word more often connotes an unpleasantly low temperature: cold weather; a cold wind; numbed through in the cold rooms. Frigid and frosty are intensifications of cold , specifically referring to a temperature below freezing. Frigid factually stresses something that has been frozen solid or a temperature permitting this: a week of absolutely frigid weather. Frosty may suggest a slightly warmer temperature, one at which frost first begins to form or breath vapour can be seen: windows turning frosty overnight; frosty winter gales. Like frigid , gelid and icy imply a temperature cold enough to result in the production of ice: a gelid mass of hailstones; a clear but icy day. Icy may also be merely a hyperbole for cold : icy waters.

In reference to temperature, cool often suggests something pleasant or mildly low-key: a heat wave followed by cool weather; a winter that was cool but not cold; moving from the direct sun into the cool shade. Chilled refers to someone who has become cold or something that has been caused to turn cool : chilled to the bone; chilled wine. Chilly , by contrast, refers more often to air or weather midway between cool and cold : a chilly autumn wind; a chilly house. The word, in fact, may suggest an erratic coming and going of winds: chilly gusts.

When these words refer to emotional states, their interrelations differ. Cold may refer to an unresponsive attitude or, more drastically, to hostility: a book he remained cold to from beginning to end; giving him a cold look. In their greater intensity, frosty and icy usually stress the hostility implicit in cold: replying to her with frosty disdain; moving with an icy anger. Frigid , however, is now so often used specifically of sexual unresponsiveness in women that it may sound odd or comic in any other emotional context: psychotherapy for the frigid woman.

Cool suggests reserve based on shyness, lack of enthusiasm, or disapproval: a cool response to all his proposals; curt answers filled with a cool contempt. The word may also suggest an ability to remain objective or impartial or to avoid anger or panic: sorting out the arguments with a cool objectivity; keeping a cool head during the crisis. Chilly suggests manners that are stand-offish or openly hostile: bidding a chilly goodnight to the guests who had overstayed. Chilled , by contrast, pertains mostly to a discouraged or horrified reaction to something else: chilled to see our dwindling store of ammunition.

Gelid has a rather literary tone and connotes the kind of cold numbness produced by unfriendliness, hostility, fear or horror: nervous laughter that turned into gelid silence when she realized his murderous intent.