First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1cold
adjective \ˈkōld\
: having a very low temperature
: having a feeling of low body heat
of food : not heated
Full Definition of COLD
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: 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>; also : impersonal, objective <cold facts> <cold reality> 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>; especially : dead 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
— cold·ish \ˈkōld-ish\ adjective
— cold·ly \ˈkōl(d)-lē\ adverb
— cold·ness \ˈkōl(d)-nəs\ noun
— in cold blood
: with premeditation : deliberately <was killed in cold blood>
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Origin of COLD
Middle English, from Old English ceald, cald; akin to Old High German kalt cold, Latin gelu frost, gelare to freeze
2cold
noun
: a cold condition
the cold : cold weather
: a common illness that affects the nose, throat, and eyes and that usually causes coughing, sneezing, etc.
Full 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
3
: a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling; specifically : common cold
— out in the cold
: deprived of benefits given others <the plan benefits management but leaves labor out in the cold>
See cold defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COLD
13th century
3cold
adverb
: in a very clear, complete, and definite way
: in a sudden way
: without practicing or preparing before doing something
Full Definition of COLD
1
: with utter finality : absolutely, completely <turned down cold>; also : abruptly <stopped them 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>
See cold defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COLD
1889
COLDISH Defined for Kids
1cold
adjective \ˈkōld\
cold·ercold·est
Definition of COLD for Kids
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.>
— cold·ly adverb
— cold·ness noun
— in cold blood
: with planning beforehand
2cold
noun
Definition of COLD for Kids
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
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