bone-chilling

adjective

bone-chill·​ing ˈbōn-ˌchi-liŋ 

: intensely cold

bone-chilling weather

also : penetrating, disturbing, or intense in emotional or physical effect

bone-chilling drama

a bone-chilling wind

Synonyms

• algid
• arctic
• bitter
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• coldish
• cool
• coolish
• freezing
• frigid
• frosty
• gelid
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• nipping
• nippy
• numbing
• polar
• shivery
• snappy
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of bone-chilling in a Sentence

we stood in line for hours in the bone-chilling weather

Recent Examples on the Web

My sincere congratulations to Michael Emerson on having delivered one of the most bone-chilling line readings this side of Claes Bang in the first season of Bad Sisters. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

But what’s not always so welcome is the once-brisk fall air that’s suddenly bone-chilling cold in some climates, where keeping warm feels like a far-away fantasy. —Kelsey Fredricks, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

While Saturday will be similar to Friday's forecast, Sunday's high will be in the mid-40s and the low will be a bone-chilling 24 degrees. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024

Electric Playhouse serves up a spooky dining spectacle this Halloween with The Undead Dinner Party, a deliciously bone-chilling culinary experience brought to life by celebrated chef Josh Mouzakes. —Nasha Smith, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above