cold
/kəʊld/- 1.
Having a low temperature, or feeling low in temperature. Cold weather, water, or food is not warm.
- The water was too cold to drink.
- Bring a cold jacket for the evening.
- 2.
Lacking warmth or friendliness in feeling or behaviour. A cold person, look, or reply can seem unfriendly or distant.
- Her cold reply ended the conversation.
- He gave me a cold stare.
A common mild illness with a runny nose, cough, and sore throat.
- I have a bad cold today.
- She caught a cold after the rain.
Without preparation or help, especially in phrases like cold call or cold open.
- The comedian opened cold.
- They called the client cold.
Adinary Nuance
Cold is the most general word for low temperature. It is stronger and less neutral than cool, which can mean pleasantly low or slightly cold. For feelings, cold sounds less friendly than cool or distant. In illness, cold is the everyday word, not flu or fever.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lạnh
- Spanish
- frío
- Chinese
- 冷
- Japanese
- 寒い
- Korean
- 추운
Etymology
Cold comes from Old English cald, celd, from Proto-Germanic roots meaning 'cold' or 'frozen'. It has been used in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between cold and cool?
- Cold is lower in temperature. Cool is milder and can sound more pleasant.
- Is cold a formal word?
- No. It is a very common everyday word in speaking and writing.
- Can cold describe a person?
- Yes. It can mean unfriendly, distant, or not emotionally warm.
- What does catch a cold mean?
- It means to become sick with a common mild illness.