Langimage
English

stone-cold

|stone/cold|

B2

🇺🇸

/stoʊn koʊld/

🇬🇧

/stəʊn kəʊld/

completely cold

Etymology
Etymology Information

'stone-cold' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'stān' meaning 'stone' and 'ceald' meaning 'cold'.

Historical Evolution

'stān ceald' transformed into the Middle English 'ston cold', and eventually became the modern English word 'stone-cold'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'as cold as a stone', but over time it evolved to also mean 'emotionless or unfeeling'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

completely cold; without any warmth or heat.

The soup was stone-cold by the time I got home.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 2

emotionless or unfeeling; showing no sympathy or compassion.

He gave her a stone-cold stare.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/19 05:06