cold sweat

noun

: concurrent perspiration and chill usually associated with fear, pain, or shock

Examples of cold sweat in a Sentence

The patient feels faint and is in a cold sweat.

I break out in a cold sweat when I think about asking my boss for a pay raise.

Recent Examples on the Web

This includes symptoms such as anxiety, cold sweats, headaches and heart palpitations. —Jessica Hartshorn, Flow Space, 25 Feb. 2025

For heart attack: Pain, pressure, aching, tightness or squeezing in the chest; pain that spreads to the shoulder, back, neck, jaw, teeth or upper belly; cold sweat; fatigue; heartburn or indigestion; lightheadedness or sudden dizziness; nausea; shortness of breath. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Feb. 2024

While most palpitations are relatively harmless, frequent or severe ones can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, chest pains, cold sweats, and fainting.13 5. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024

Kayce is eerily hit with a similar feeling, lying wide awake in bed next to Monica in a cold sweat. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cold sweat

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

cold sweat

noun

: perspiration and chill occurring together and usually associated with fear, pain, or shock

Medical Definition

cold sweat

noun

: perspiration accompanied by feelings of chill or cold and usually induced or accompanied by dread, fear, or shock