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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Cold Definition: Low Temperature & Unfriendly Demeanor (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：low temperature (cold)

cold 🔊

/koʊld/

adj.

Having a low temperature that makes you feel uncomfortable and want to get warm.

Cold breath forming cloud on frosty window with steaming mug

low temperature 🔊

➕

/loʊ ˈtɛmpərətʃər/

adj.

Having a temperature lower than what is comfortable for humans, often causing shivering or a need for warmth.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Proto-Germanic *kaldaz, meaning 'cold' or 'cool', related to Latin gelu 'frost'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a blue person shivering: 'C-O-L-D' = 'Can't Overcome Low Degrees'.

📖 Example

After playing outside in the snow, my fingers were so cold that I held a mug of hot chocolate to warm them up. 🔊 After playing outside in the snow, my fingers were so cold that I held a mug of hot chocolate to warm them up.

🔗 Collocations

cold weather – low atmospheric temperature

cold water – water with a low temperature

cold hands – hands that are very cool to the touch

🔄 Synonyms

chilly (adj.) – uncomfortably cool; slightly cold

frigid (adj.) – extremely cold; freezing

icy (adj.) – covered with or consisting of ice; very cold

🚫 Antonyms

hot (adj.) – having a high temperature

warm (adj.) – moderately hot; giving off heat

scorching (adj.) – very hot; burning

🌱 Derivatives

coldness (n.) – the quality of being cold

coldly (adv.) – in a cold manner

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'cold' comes from Old English 'cald' or 'ceald', rooted in Proto-Germanic. It is used metaphorically to describe unemotional behavior, a common trope in literature and psychology.

Meaning 2：unfriendly demeanor (cold)

cold 🔊

/koʊld/

adj.

Describing a person who is not friendly or warm, and keeps a distance from others without showing emotions.

Cold demeanor with crossed arms avoiding colleague in office

unfriendly demeanor 🔊

➕

/ʌnˈfrɛndli dɪˈminər/

adj.

Lacking warmth, emotion, or friendliness in behavior or response; distant and reserved.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Despite our warm welcome, the new manager gave us a cold response and went straight to his office. 🔊 Despite our warm welcome, the new manager gave us a cold response and went straight to his office.

🔗 Collocations

cold stare – a fixed look that shows unfriendliness or anger

cold shoulder – deliberate unfriendliness or rejection

cold demeanor – a reserved and unemotional outward behavior

🔄 Synonyms

aloof (adj.) – not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant

detached (adj.) – separate or disconnected in feeling; not involved emotionally

indifferent (adj.) – having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned

🚫 Antonyms

warm (adj.) – showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness

friendly (adj.) – kind and pleasant; showing goodwill

cordial (adj.) – warm and friendly

🌱 Derivatives

coldly (adv.) – in a way that shows no friendly feelings