Cold-blooded - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT cold-blooded /ˌkoʊld ˌˈblʌdəd/ /kəʊldˈblʌdɪd/ IPA guide

A cold-blooded animal has a body temperature that varies along with the outdoor temperature, and a cold-blooded person is someone who seems to feel no emotions. Your pet lizard may love you, but she's still cold-blooded.

During a hot, sunny day, a cold-blooded animal like a snake experiences a rise in body temperature, which it can only moderate by finding a shady spot to hide. When the sun goes down at night, a snake's body temperature falls. Cold-blooded people, on the other hand, regulate their body temperature even when it's chilly outside, like other warm-blooded animals. They're cruel and unfeeling, though. This meaning comes from the old-fashioned belief that blood temperature rises with emotion.

Definitions of cold-blooded

adjective having cold blood (in animals whose body temperature is not internally regulated) synonyms: ectothermic, heterothermic, poikilothermic, poikilothermous of animals except birds and mammals; having body temperature that varies with the environment see moresee less antonyms: warm-blooded having warm blood (in animals whose body temperature is internally regulated) homeothermic, homoiothermic, homothermic of birds and mammals; having constant and relatively high body temperature show more antonyms...
adjective without compunction or human feeling synonyms: cold, inhuman, insensate inhumane reflecting lack of pity or compassion

Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cold-blooded'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing cold-blooded

Idioms and Expressions, List 3

This list focuses on idioms and expressions that relate to bodies and body parts.

Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 1

Check out this list of sampled words William Shakespeare is credited with coining or first putting into print. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8

Long Way Down Jason Reynolds

In this novel-in-verse, Will spends a sixty-second elevator ride weighing whether or not he should avenge his brother's death. Learn these words from Jason Reynolds's innovative and powerful exploration of gun violence.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account