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Callous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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callous

[ˈkæləs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

lacking empathy or sensitivity

Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

Synonyms

cruel, heartless, insensitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
callous

This term is used to describe someone who is emotionally hardened and shows no sympathy for others, often in a very direct or harsh manner.

  • His callous disregard for other people's feelings made him very unpopular.
  • The callous way she handled the situation left many people feeling hurt.
heartless

This term is used to describe someone who shows a complete lack of compassion or empathy, often in situations where kindness is expected. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • Her heartless refusal to help the homeless made everyone around her uncomfortable.
  • The judge was criticized for his heartless sentencing.
cruel

This word describes someone or something that intentionally causes pain or suffering to others, both physically and emotionally. It carries a strong negative connotation.

  • He was known for his cruel treatment of animals.
  • The cruel comments she made about her friend were completely uncalled for.
insensitive

This word is used to describe someone who fails to recognize or care about other people's feelings or needs, often due to a lack of awareness rather than intentional cruelty.

  • His insensitive comment about her weight made everyone gasp.
  • She can be quite insensitive to her coworkers' personal problems.

Examples of usage

  • He was callous towards the suffering of the homeless.
  • The callous way she treated her employees was unacceptable.
Context #2 | Noun

an area of hardened skin

An area of the skin that has become toughened and thickened, usually as a result of repeated friction, pressure, or irritation.

Synonyms

callosity, corn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
callous

This word refers to a person who is insensitive and does not show concern for others. It has a negative connotation.

  • His callous remarks about the tragedy upset everyone.
  • She was shocked by his callous attitude towards their problems.
corn

This term specifically refers to a type of callus that usually forms on the toes or the sides of the feet. It is often used in medical contexts, but also in everyday language when speaking about foot care.

  • The corn on her toe made walking very painful.
  • Wearing tight shoes can lead to the formation of corns on your feet.
callosity

This term is used in medical or anatomical contexts to describe a hardened area of skin, usually due to friction or pressure. It is a more technical term and less commonly used in everyday language.

  • The patient has a callosity on the sole of his foot from years of walking barefoot.
  • Callosities on the hands can be common among manual laborers.

Examples of usage

  • His hands were covered in callouses from years of hard work.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'callous'

The word 'callous' originated in the mid-16th century from the Latin word 'callosus', meaning 'hard-skinned'. Over time, it evolved to encompass both the physical and emotional aspects of being hardened or insensitive.

See also: call, caller, calling, calls, callus, recall.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,304, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.