cold Hear it!

cold definition

cold (kōld)

adjective

  1. 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.
  2. dead
  3. feeling chilled
  4. without warmth of feeling; unfeeling; indifferent a cold personality
  5. not cordial or kind; unfriendly a cold reception
  6. sexually frigid
  7. depressing or saddening; gloomy to realize the cold truth
  8. not involving one's feelings; detached; objective cold logic
  9. designating or having colors that suggest cold, as tones of blue, green, or gray
  10. still far from what is being sought: said of the seeker
  11. not strong or fresh; faint or stale a cold scent
  12. Informal unconscious the boxer was knocked cold
  13. Informal unlucky or ineffective a cold streak in baseball

Etymology: ME < OE (Anglian) cald < IE base *gel-, cold > cool, Ger kalt, L gelidus

adverb

  1. ☆ absolutely; completely she was stopped cold
  2. ☆ with complete mastery the actor had the lines down cold
  3. with little or no preparation to enter a game cold

noun

    1. absence of heat; lack of warmth: often thought of as an active force
    2. a low temperature; esp., one below freezing
  1. the sensation produced by a loss or absence of heat
  2. cold weather
  3. 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:

cold Idioms

catch cold

or take cold
to become ill with a cold

cold comfort

little or no comfort at all

come in from the cold

to come out of exile, isolation, etc.; resume an active role

leave someone cold

to fail to arouse someone's interest

have (or get) cold feet

Informal to be (or become) timid or fearful

in the cold

ignored; neglected

throw cold water on

to be unenthusiastic about or toward; discourage

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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