English vocabulary · C1
Callous
/ˈkæləs/ · adj., v.
Callous means not caring when another person is hurt or sad. Such a person sees pain and gives no care.
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Example sentences
- His callous joke made a child cry.
- The company made a callous choice and cut help.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- callosus — hard skin (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- CRUEL — causing pain on purpose (Causing Pain)
- COLD — not warm or kind (Showing No Warmth)
- HEARTLESS — showing no care (Giving No Care)
Words with the same root
callosus — hard skin
- callus — a hard skin patch
Lesson notes
Callous means not caring when another person is hurt or sad. Such a person sees pain and gives no care.
Related: cruel, cold, heartless. Use callous when someone ignores another person's pain.
His callous joke made a child cry. The company made a callous choice and cut help.
From Latin. Callosus means hard skin. Hard skin feels less; a callous heart cares less.