cold-blooded

adjective

cold-blood·​ed ˈkōl(d)-ˈblə-dəd How to pronounce cold-blooded (audio)
1
a
: done or acting without consideration, compunction, or clemency
cold-blooded murder
b
: matter-of-fact, emotionless
a cold-blooded assessment
2
: having cold blood
specifically : having a body temperature not internally regulated but approximating that of the environment
3
or coldblood : of mixed or inferior breeding
4
: noticeably sensitive to cold
cold-bloodedly adverb
cold-bloodedness noun

Examples of cold-blooded in a Sentence

a cold-blooded criminal who never once showed an ounce of mercy to his victims the cold-blooded selfishness shown by the miser when confronted by people in need a cold-blooded assessment of the situation showed that the company needed either to lay off workers or go bankrupt he may not be as fancy as the other horses they own, but that cold-blooded gelding is safe and gentle
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The legislation would amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that the existing standards set under federal law for the humane care, treatment, and exhibition of some warm-blooded animals are extended to cover additional warm blooded and cold-blooded animals. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2024 However, back in the ‘80s, most viewed the brothers as cold-blooded killers who gunned down their parents for inheritance money and spending sprees. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Banks is accused of masterminding a cold-blooded murder. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2024 Weaver gave the Alien series an emotional dimension beyond its cold-blooded thrills. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cold-blooded 

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold-blooded was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near cold-blooded

Cite this Entry

“Cold-blooded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold-blooded. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cold-blooded

adjective
cold-blood·​ed
ˈkōl(d)-ˈbləd-əd
1
: lacking or showing a lack of natural human feelings
a cold-blooded criminal
2
: having a body temperature not regulated by the body and close to that of the environment
3
: sensitive to cold
cold-bloodedly adverb

Medical Definition

cold-blooded

adjective
cold-blood·​ed ˈkōl(d)-ˈbləd-əd How to pronounce cold-blooded (audio)
: having a body temperature not internally regulated but approximating that of the environment : poikilothermic
cold-blooded amphibians and reptiles
cold-bloodedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cold-blooded

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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