cold

Cold describes a low temperature or describes someone who is not warm and friendly. (adjective)

An example of cold is 32 degree weather.
An example of cold is a person who doesn't ever say hello or make you feel welcome or comfortable.

Cold describes a contagious virus that causes you to have a stuffy nose and sometimes a sore throat and a fever. (noun)

An example of a cold is an illness where you are sneezing and coughing and have a runny nose for a day or two as a result of a virus.

See cold in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of a temperature significantly or noticeably lower than average, normal, expected, or comfortable; very chilly; frigid: a cold wind
1. without the proper heat or warmth: this soup is cold
2. without the proper heat, warmth, or warm-up period: said of tires, engines, etc.
dead
feeling chilled
without warmth of feeling; unfeeling; indifferent: a cold personality
not cordial or kind; unfriendly: a cold reception
sexually frigid
depressing or saddening; gloomy: to realize the cold truth
not involving one's feelings; detached; objective: cold logic
designating or having colors that suggest cold, as tones of blue, green, or gray
still far from what is being sought: said of the seeker
not strong or fresh; faint or stale: a cold scent
☆ Informal unconscious: the boxer was knocked cold
Informal unlucky or ineffective: a cold streak in baseball

adverb

noun

1. absence of heat; lack of warmth: often thought of as an active force
2. a low temperature; esp., one below freezing
the sensation produced by a loss or absence of heat
cold weather
a contagious, viral infection of the respiratory passages, esp. of the nose and throat, characterized by an acute inflammation of the mucous membranes, nasal discharge, malaise, etc.

Related Forms:

See cold in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(kōld)

adjective cold·er, cold·est

a. Having a low temperature.
b. Having a temperature lower than normal body temperature.
c. Feeling no warmth; uncomfortably chilled.
a. Marked by deficient heat: a cold room.
b. Being at a temperature that is less than what is required: cold oatmeal.
c. Chilled by refrigeration or ice: cold beer.
Lacking emotion; objective: cold logic.
Having no appeal to the senses or feelings: a cold decor.
a. Not affectionate or friendly; aloof: a cold person; a cold nod.
b. Exhibiting or feeling no enthusiasm: a cold audience; a cold response to the new play; a concert that left me cold.
c. Devoid of sexual desire; frigid.
Designating a tone or color, such as pale gray, that suggests little warmth.
Having lost all freshness or vividness through passage of time: dogs attempting to catch a cold scent.
a. Marked by or sustaining a loss of body heat: cold hands and feet.
b. Appearing to be dead; unconscious.
c. Dead: was cold in his grave.
Marked by unqualified certainty or sure familiarity.
So intense as to be almost uncontrollable: cold fury.
Characterized by repeated failure, especially in a sport or competitive activity: The team fell into a slump of cold shooting.

adverb

To an unqualified degree; totally: was cold sober.
With complete finality: We turned him down cold.
Without advance preparation or introduction: took the exam cold and passed; walked in cold and got the new job.

noun

a. Relative lack of warmth.
b. The sensation resulting from lack of warmth; chill.
A condition of low air temperature; cold weather: went out into the cold and got a chill.
A viral infection characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory passages and usually accompanied by malaise, fever, chills, coughing, and sneezing. Also called common cold, coryza.

Related Forms: