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: such 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
- 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
- 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: such as
a
: depressing, gloomy
- cold gray skies
b
: cool 6a
4 a
: marked by the loss of normal body heat
- cold hands
- … she lay cold and still—she was gone …
- —Upton Sinclair
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
- The player's sub entered the game cold.
