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: 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
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.
