cold

¹cold

adj \ˈkōld\

Definition of COLD

1

a : having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans <it is cold outside today> <a cold drafty attic> b : having a relatively low temperature or one lower than normal or expected <the bath water has gotten cold> c : not heated: as (1) of food : served without heating especially after initial cooking or processing <cold cereal> <cold roast beef> (2) : served chilled or with ice <a cold drink> (3) : involving processing without the use of heat <cold working of steel>

2

a : marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion <a cold stare> <got a cold reception>; also : not moved to enthusiasm <the movie leaves me cold> b : not colored or affected by personal feeling or bias : detached, indifferent <cold chronicles recorded by an outsider — Andrew Sarris>; also : impersonal, objective <cold facts> <cold reality> c : marked by sure familiarity : pat <had her lines cold weeks before opening night>

3

: conveying the impression of being cold: as a : depressing, gloomy <cold gray skies> b : cool 6a

4

a : marked by the loss of normal body heat <cold hands>; especially : dead b : giving the appearance of being dead : unconscious <passed out cold>

5

a : having lost freshness or vividness : stale <dogs trying to pick up a cold scent> b : far off the mark : not close to finding or solving —used especially in children's games c : marked by poor or unlucky performance <the team's shooting turned cold in the second half> d : not prepared or suitably warmed up

— cold·ish \ˈkōld-ish\ adjective

— cold·ly \ˈkōl(d)-lē\ adverb

— cold·ness \ˈkōl(d)-nəs\ noun

— in cold blood

: with premeditation : deliberately <was killed in cold blood>

Examples of COLD

1. The water was too cold for swimming.
2. The weather has been unusually cold this spring.
3. a country with a cold climate
4. It was a long, cold winter.
5. It's cold outside, but the wind makes it feel even colder.
6. It's bitterly cold out there!
7. metal that is cold to the touch
8. Are you cold? I could turn up the temperature if you'd like.
9. a bowl of cold cereal
10. He ate cold pizza for breakfast.

Origin of COLD

Middle English, from Old English ceald, cald; akin to Old High German kalt cold, Latin gelu frost, gelare to freeze

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to COLD

Synonyms: algid, arctic, bitter, bone-chilling, chill, chilly, coldish, cool, coolish, freezing, frigid, frosty, gelid, glacial, ice-cold, icy, nipping, nippy, numbing, polar, shivery, snappy, wintry (also wintery)

Antonyms: ardent, blazing, boiling, broiling, burning, fervent, fervid, fiery, glowing, hot, igneous, molten, piping hot, red-hot, roasting, scalding, scorching, searing, seething, sizzling, sultry, sweltering, torrid, ultrahot, warming, white-hot

Related Words: cryogenic, subfreezing, subzero, ultracold; cutting, keen, penetrating, piercing, sharp; bracing, brisk, crisp, invigorating, rigorous; chilled, cooled, frosted, frozen, iced, refrigerated, unheated

Near Antonyms: lukewarm, tepid; heated, overheated, reheated, warmed; snug, toasty, warm; feverish, flushed, inflamed (also enflamed); canicular, equatorial, muggy, steamy, summery, tropical

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with COLD

bold, bowled, fold, gold, hold, mold, old, polled, scold, soled, souled, wold