Words / C1

KAL-uh-s/ˈkæləs/

Callous means not caring about other people’s suffering: a callous remark. Unkind is everyday and weaker; cruel is stronger and often active; heartless is a close synonym. Callousness is the noun. In speech, cold or heartless is enough. A callus (one l in American spelling of the skin patch) is thickened skin — different word. Do not call a necessary firm decision callous unless indifference to harm is the point.

Meaning

Not caring about other people’s suffering.

Examples

• “It was callous to laugh at her mistake.”
• “It was callous to joke about her failed resit in front of the class.”
• “The policy looked efficient on paper and callous in its effects on carers.”

Good to know

Hard-hearted; indifferent to suffering. Everyday: heartless / cold. Stronger: cruel. Noun: callousness. Not a skin callus.

Near in meaning

heartless

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