callous
/ˈkæl.əs/- 1.
Showing no concern or sympathy for other people's feelings or pain. A callous person knows that others are suffering but does not care. This word carries a moral judgment — it suggests the person should feel something but has chosen not to.
- His callous response to her tears shocked everyone in the room.
- The manager made a callous decision to fire workers just before the holidays.
- It was callous of him to laugh at his friend's misfortune.
- 2.
Having skin that has become hard and thick from repeated pressure or rubbing. This is the literal, physical meaning of the word, and it is less common in everyday use.
- Years of manual work had left his hands callous and rough.
- Her callous fingertips were proof of hours spent playing the guitar.
Adinary Nuance
Callous sits in a cluster of words about emotional coldness, but each one has a different shade. Indifferent simply means not caring — it is neutral and does not blame anyone. Callous goes further: it implies the person is aware of someone's pain and still feels nothing, which makes it a moral criticism. Heartless is stronger and more dramatic, often used in emotional outbursts or strong rhetoric. Cold describes a general personality trait — a cold person is emotionally distant by nature, not necessarily in one specific act. Choose callous when you want to highlight a specific act or pattern of behavior where someone's lack of empathy is clearly wrong and noticeable — it is a precise, moderately strong word that works well in both academic essays and journalism.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- vô cảm
- Spanish
- insensible
- Chinese
- 冷酷
- Japanese
- 冷酷
- Korean
- 무정한
Etymology
From Latin "callosus" meaning "thick-skinned" or "hardened," derived from "callum" (hard skin). The word entered English in the 16th century first in its literal physical sense, then developed its figurative emotional meaning shortly after.
Common phrases
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'callous' and 'callus'?
- 'Callous' (with an 'ous' ending) is an adjective meaning emotionally or physically hard. 'Callus' (with a 'us' ending) is a noun that refers to a patch of hardened skin. They share the same Latin root but are used very differently.
- Is 'callous' a strong or mild word?
- 'Callous' is moderately strong. It carries a clear moral judgment — stronger than 'indifferent' but less dramatic than 'heartless' or 'cruel.' It is a precise word that fits academic essays, news writing, and formal discussion.
- Can 'callous' describe a single action, or only a person's overall character?
- It can describe both. You can say someone has a 'callous personality' (character trait) or that they made a 'callous remark' (a single act). The word works well for both uses.
- Is 'callous' used in formal academic writing?
- Yes, 'callous' is well suited to academic writing, especially in ethics, social sciences, and literary criticism. It is not slang, and it carries the right level of seriousness for formal essays.