Such a hardened area often leaves one less sensitive to the touch, so it's no surprise that the adjective callous, in addition to describing skin that is hard and thick, can also be used as a synonym for harsh …

CALLOUS definition: made hard; hardened. See examples of callous used in a sentence.

CALLOUS definition: 1. unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling for other people: 2. unkind, cruel, and without…. Learn more.

Definition of callous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

callous unfeeling; emotionally hardened: She was so callous that she didn’t shed a tear when her husband died.

A callous person or action is very cruel and shows no concern for other people or their feelings. ...his callous disregard for human life.

Dec 14, 2025 · callous (comparative more callous, superlative most callous) She was so callous that she could criticise a cancer patient for wearing a wig.

Definition of callous. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.

cal•lous (kal′ əs), adj. made hard; hardened. insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic: They have a callous attitude toward the sufferings of others. Pathology having a callus; indurated, as parts of the skin …

A callous person is insensitive or emotionally hardened. If you laugh at your little sister while she's trying to show you her poetry, you're being callous.