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
also
: not moved to enthusiasm
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
Andrew Sarris
c
: marked by sure familiarity : pat
had her lines cold weeks before opening night
3
4
a
: marked by the loss of normal body heat
cold hands
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.
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
1
: with utter finality : absolutely, completely
turned down cold
2
a
: without introduction or advance notice
walked in cold to apply for a job
b
: without preparation or warm-up
was asked to perform the solo cold
Examples of cold in a Sentence
Adjective
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.
Noun
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.
Adverb
She was asked to perform the song cold.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, causes tooth pain in response to heat, cold, air flow, or light touch.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 June 2025
For instance, a viral or bacterial infection like a cold or the flu could trigger inflammation of a part of your inner ear called the labyrinth (a.k.a. labyrinthitis) or your vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis).
—Rachel Nall, SELF, 17 June 2025
Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
This time, the idea of a comeback stopped Canada cold.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
And Some Ice Cream Cream City Ice Cream & Coffeehouse has more than 40 homemade flavors to choose from, plus hot and cold espresso drinks.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, causes tooth pain in response to heat, cold, air flow, or light touch.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025
Noun
Elsewhere, humidifiers, thermometers, and nasal-irrigation systems were purchased by those struggling with colds or flus.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 June 2025
For instance, a viral or bacterial infection like a cold or the flu could trigger inflammation of a part of your inner ear called the labyrinth (a.k.a. labyrinthitis) or your vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis).
—Rachel Nall, SELF, 17 June 2025
Adverb
When the cop refuses the bribe, Reacher saves the man’s life … by love-tapping him out cold before Angel can shoot him.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
This time, the idea of a comeback stopped Canada cold.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold
Cite this Entry
“Cold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cold
1 of 2 adjective1
: having a low temperature or one much below normal
a cold day
a cold drink
2
: lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly
a cold stare
3
: suffering or uncomfortable from lack of warmth
they feel cold
4
a
: marked by the loss of normal body heat
cold hands
b
: giving the appearance of being dead : unconscious
passed out cold
coldly
adverb
cold
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a condition of low temperature
b
: cold weather
2
: bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat : chill
3
: a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling
especially
: common cold
Medical Definition
cold
1 of 3 adjective1
a
: having or being a temperature that is noticeably lower than body temperature and especially that is uncomfortable for humans
a cold drafty room
b
: having a relatively low temperature or one that is lower than normal or expected
the bath water has gotten cold
c
: 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
2 of 3 noun1
: bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat
2
: a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling:
a
in humans
: common cold
b
in domestic animals
: coryza
COLD
3 of 3 abbreviationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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