1 a
: having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans
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
(2)
: served chilled or with ice
(3)
: involving processing without the use of heat
2 a
: marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion ;
also
: not moved to enthusiasm
c
: marked by sure familiarity : pat - had her lines cold weeks before opening night
3
: conveying the impression of being cold: such as
4 a
: marked by the loss of normal body heat ;
especially
: dead - … she lay cold and still—she was gone …
- —Upton Sinclair
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.
—
coldish
play
\ˈkōld-ish\
adjective
—
coldly
play
\ˈkōl(d)-lē\
adverb
—
coldness
play
\ˈkōl(d)-nəs\
noun