Meaning & Definition
adjective
Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
His callous remarks about the accident shocked everyone present.
Emotionally insensitive; lacking feelings.
She was criticized for her callous attitude toward the victims of the disaster.
Having calluses; toughened or hardened.
The callous skin on his hands demonstrated years of hard labor.
Etymology
Late Latin callosus, meaning 'hard-skinned'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
callous indifference:
A complete lack of concern for the feelings of others.
callous behavior:
Actions that are cruel or unfeeling.
Slang Meanings
Cold-hearted
That dude is so cold-hearted for not caring about the dog's plight.
Stone-cold
She's stone-cold when it comes to people's feelings.