gélido

icy

adjective HEH-lee-doh Rare

Origin: From Latin gelidus, from gelu (frost, cold).

Also means

freezing cold

Usage Note

Gélido is a literary or elevated adjective meaning extremely cold, icy. It is more evocative than frío and typically describes wind, water, or temperatures: un viento gélido (an icy wind). In everyday speech Spaniards would say helado or glacial; gélido belongs to formal writing or poetry. Agreement: gélida, gélidos, gélidas.

Examples

"Un viento gélido sopló durante toda la noche."

Natural Translation

An icy wind blew throughout the night.

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