cold-hearted
/ˌkəʊld ˈhɑːtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkəʊld ˈhɑːrtɪd/ (ame, ipa)
cold-hearted — adjective
1. describes a person who shows no care, pity, or warmth toward other people's prob
describes a person who shows no care, pity, or warmth toward other people's problems or suffering — for example, refusing to help a family member in need or laughing at someone else's misfortune.
Christopher gave a cold-hearted laugh when his friend lost his job.
collocation: cold-hearted + laugh
The landlord's cold-hearted eviction left the family with nowhere to go.
pattern: cold-hearted [noun] describing an action
It was cold-hearted of Élise to ignore the elderly woman asking for help.
Valentina described her ex-manager as a cold-hearted person who never praised anyone.
The company's cold-hearted decision to cut health benefits angered the workers.
- heartless
stronger and more direct than cold-hearted; implies active cruelty rather than just emotional distance
- callous
emphasizes a hardened indifference, especially when pity is expected
- unfeeling
more formal; focuses on absence of emotional response rather than active unkindness
- cold-blooded
the strongest term; suggests someone plans harmful actions with no guilt, often used about violence
- warm-hearted
describes someone who shows kindness and genuine concern for others
- compassionate
emphasizes active sympathy and a desire to help those who suffer
- kind
a general term for a caring and gentle nature
文法句型
cold-hearted + noun
be cold-hearted
it is cold-hearted of someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This word is a strong criticism of someone's character. It implies a deliberate lack of sympathy rather than simple carelessness. Commonly used with nouns such as person, attitude, decision, reaction, and treatment.