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Calloused: meaning, definitions and examples

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calloused

 

[ ˈkæl.əst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feelings, skin

The term 'calloused' primarily refers to an area of skin that has become thickened and hardened due to repeated friction or pressure. This condition often occurs in areas of the hands or feet that experience regular use or stress. Additionally, 'calloused' can refer to someone who is emotionally insensitive or unsympathetic, suggesting a lack of feeling or concern. When a person is described as calloused in an emotional context, it indicates a hardened attitude or numbness towards the feelings of others.

Synonyms

hardened, insensitive, toughened, unfeeling

Examples of usage

  • His calloused hands showed years of hard work.
  • After years of criticism, she became calloused to harsh words.
  • The calloused skin on her feet was a sign of her love for hiking.

Translations

Translations of the word "calloused" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caloso

🇮🇳 कठोर

🇩🇪 verhärtet

🇮🇩 kekar

🇺🇦 огрубілий

🇵🇱 zgrubiały

🇯🇵 硬くなった

🇫🇷 callosité

🇪🇸 calloso

🇹🇷 sertleşmiş

🇰🇷 굳어진

🇸🇦 خشن

🇨🇿 zhrublý

🇸🇰 hrubý

🇨🇳 粗糙的

🇸🇮 otrdel

🇮🇸 harður

🇰🇿 қатты

🇬🇪 მყარი

🇦🇿 qabaq

🇲🇽 calloso

Etymology

The word 'calloused' has its roots in the Latin word 'callosus', which means 'hardened' or 'thick-skinned'. This Latin term is derived from 'callum', meaning 'hardened skin'. The usage of the word in English can be traced back to the 15th century, where it began to be used in both its literal sense—referring to the hardening of skin from physical labor and abrasion—and in a metaphorical sense to describe emotional insensitivity. Over the centuries, the term has maintained its relevance in both medical and psychological contexts, highlighting how people both physically and emotionally develop defenses against pain or discomfort.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,609 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.