Callous
/ˈkæləs/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
/ˈkæləs/
adjectivenegativeIntermediate
General
His callous treatment of the employees led to a strike.
💡 Simply: Not caring about others' feelings; cruel.
More Examples
2
The callous disregard for human life was shocking.
How It's Used
Literature
"The callous dictator showed no remorse for his actions."
Psychology
"Her callous disregard for the feelings of others was striking."
From Middle English *callus*, from Old French *callos*, from Latin *callōsus* "hardened, thick-skinned", from *callum* "hard skin, callus".
The word has been used to describe insensitive behavior since the Middle Ages, but its usage has increased in frequency in modern times, reflecting a greater awareness of emotional intelligence.
Memory tip
Think of a callus – hard and insensitive to touch; a callous person is similarly insensitive to others' feelings.
Practice
Base: callous
calluscalous
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written