Callous | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Callous is an adjective meaning ‘cruel’ or ‘lacking sympathy‘.
Calloused or callused
The adjective calloused (with an ‘o’) describes an area of skin that has been hardened by friction. While calloused is the standard spelling, callused (no ‘o’) is an accepted variant.
Other interesting language articles
If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
Confused words
Definitions
US vs. UK spellings
Frequently asked questions
- What is a synonym for ‘callous’?
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Some synonyms for ‘callous’ include:
- Brutal
- Cruel
- Hard
- Harsh
- Heartless
- Inhuman
- Insensitive
- Unsympathetic
- What is an antonym of ‘callous’?
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Some antonyms (opposites) for ‘callous’ include:
- Compassionate
- Humane
- Kind
- Sensitive
- Sympathetic
- Tender
- Understanding
- Warm
- Warmhearted
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