Definition of cold
1a : having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans it is cold outside today a cold drafty atticb : having a relatively low temperature or one lower than normal or expected the bath water has gotten coldc : 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
2a : marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion a cold stare got a cold reception; also : not moved to enthusiasm the movie leaves me coldb : not colored or affected by personal feeling or bias : detached, indifferent cold chronicles recorded by an outsider — Andrew Sarris; also : impersonal, objective cold facts cold realityc : marked by sure familiarity : pat had her lines cold weeks before opening night
3 : conveying the impression of being cold: such asa : depressing, gloomy cold gray skiesb : cool 6a
4a : marked by the loss of normal body heat cold hands; especially : dead … she lay cold and still—she was gone … — Upton Sinclairb : giving the appearance of being dead : unconscious passed out cold
5a : having lost freshness or vividness : stale dogs trying to pick up a cold scentb : far off the mark : not close to finding or solving —used especially in children's gamesc : marked by poor or unlucky performance the team's shooting turned cold in the second halfd : not prepared or suitably warmed up The player's sub entered the game cold.
in cold blood
: with premeditation : deliberately was killed in cold blood
From the M-W Editors
Examples of cold in a Sentence
The water was too cold for swimming.
The weather has been unusually cold this spring.
a country with a cold climate
It was a long, cold winter.
It's cold outside, but the wind makes it feel even colder.
It's bitterly cold out there!
metal that is cold to the touch
Are you cold? I could turn up the temperature if you'd like.
a bowl of cold cereal
He ate cold pizza for breakfast.
Origin and Etymology of cold
Middle English, from Old English ceald, cald; akin to Old High German kalt cold, Latin gelu frost, gelare to freeze
First Known Use: before 12th century
cold
Definition of cold
1 : bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat they died of the cold
2 : a condition of low temperature extremes of heat and cold; especially : cold weather He waited outside for her in the bitter cold.
3 : a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling; specifically : common cold She came down with a cold.
out in the cold
: deprived of benefits given others the plan benefits management but leaves labor out in the cold
Examples of cold in a Sentence
I mind cold more than heat.
They died of exposure to cold.
The cold really sets in around late November and doesn't let up until April.
I stood there shivering in the cold.
He waited outside for her in the bitter cold.
Come in out of the cold.
It's not the flu, it's just a cold.
Origin and Etymology of cold
see 1cold
First Known Use: before 12th century
cold
Definition of cold
1 : with utter finality : absolutely, completely turned down cold; also : abruptly stopped them cold
2a : without introduction or advance notice walked in cold to apply for a jobb : without preparation or warm-up was asked to perform the solo cold
Examples of cold in a Sentence
She was asked to perform the song cold.
1889
First Known Use of cold
1889
COLD Defined for English Language Learners
cold
playDefinition of cold for English Language Learners
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: having a very low temperature
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: having a feeling of low body heat
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of food : not heated
cold
Definition of cold for English Language Learners
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: a cold condition
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the cold : cold weather
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: a common illness that affects the nose, throat, and eyes and that usually causes coughing, sneezing, etc.
cold
Definition of cold for English Language Learners
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: in a very clear, complete, and definite way
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: in a sudden way
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: without practicing or preparing before doing something
COLD Defined for Kids
Definition of cold for Students
colder
;coldest
1 : having a low temperature or one much below normal a cold day
2 : suffering from lack of warmth I feel cold.
3 : cooled after being cooked We ate cold chicken.
4 : served at a low temperature or with ice Have a cold drink.
5 : lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly She's been cold to me ever since our disagreement.
coldly
adverbcoldness
nounin cold blood
: with planning beforehand
Definition of cold for Students
1 : a condition of low temperature : cold weather I can't stand the cold.
2 : the bodily feeling produced by lack of warmth : chill He was shivering with cold.
3 : common cold
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of cold
1a: having or being a temperature that is noticeably lower than body temperature and especially that is uncomfortable for humans a cold drafty roomb: having a relatively low temperature or one that is lower than normal or expected the bath water has gotten coldc: receptive to the sensation of coldness : stimulated by cold a cold spot is a typical receptor in higher vertebrates
2: marked by the loss of normal body heat cold hands
3: dead
4: exhibiting little or no radioactivity
cold
Medical Definition of cold
1: bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat
2: a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling:ain humans : common coldbin domestic animals : coryza
Learn More about cold
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See words that rhyme with cold Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cold Spanish Central: Translation of cold Nglish: Translation of cold for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cold for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cold
Seen and Heard
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