callous
callous
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "callous" is:
/ˈkæləs/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
Syllable 1 (ˈkal):
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive (like the "k" in "key")
/æ/ - short open front vowel (like the "a" in "cat")
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant (like the "l" in "lake")
Syllable 2 (əs):
/ə/ - schwa (a mid central vowel sound, like the unstressed "a" in "about")
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (like the "s" in "sip")
Word Form Variations
"Callous" is already the base form of the word and functions as an adjective. Here are the variations you might find:
Singular: callous
Plural: callous (since it describes a state, it doesn't typically change for plural)
Comparative: more callous (used for comparing the degree of callousness)
Superlative: most callous (used for indicating the strongest degree of callousness)
Adverb: callously (describes how something is done in a callous manner)
Noun: callousness (the state of being callous)
Uncommon: uncallous (adjective, meaning not callous)
Uncommon: uncallously (adverb, meaning not in a callous manner)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Lacking sympathy or feeling for others; insensitive and uncaring.
Synonyms: heartless, cold, indifferent, cruel, harsh, unfeeling, hard-hearted, impassive, unsympathetic
Antonyms: sympathetic, compassionate, kind, caring, sensitive, warm-hearted, understanding
Noun:
Definition: The state of being callous or lacking sympathy.
Synonyms: hard-heartedness, insensitivity, coldness, indifference, cruelty
Antonyms: compassion, empathy, understanding, kindness
Adverb (less common):
Definition: In a callous or unfeeling way.
Synonyms: heartlessly, coldly, indifferently, cruelly, harshly
Antonyms: sympathetically, compassionately, kindly, caringly
Verb (very uncommon):
Definition: To become callous or insensitive (Note: This verb form is rarely used)
Synonyms: harden (figuratively), desensitise (Note: Desensitize is more common)
Antonyms: soften (figuratively), sensitise.
Examples of Use
1. Literature:
"He cast a callous eye over the devastation, seemingly unmoved by the suffering." (A dystopian novel)
2. News Article:
"Critics slammed the corporation's callous disregard for environmental regulations." (Newspaper article about pollution)
3. Social Media:
"Can you believe the callous comment that influencer made about body image?" (Twitter post critiquing a celebrity)
4. Movie Dialogue:
Villain (to hero): "You cling to hope like a child. It's time you learned the world is a callous place." (Action movie)
5. Online Review:
"The customer service was callous and unhelpful. I wouldn't recommend this company." (Review website for a retail store)
6. Public Discourse:
"The politician's callous response to the refugee crisis sparked outrage." (News commentary on a political speech)
7. Song Lyrics:
"Living in a world that's growing cold, hearts turning callous, stories untold." (Pop song with social commentary)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Callous
While there aren't many direct quotes using "callous" by famous figures, here are ten quotes that capture the essence of the word:
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (This quote implies a callous disregard for the consequences of inaction)
"Apathy is a dangerous thing. It's the breeding ground for carelessness and indifference." - Elie Wiesel (This quote highlights how apathy can lead to callous behaviour)
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer (This quote emphasises the lack of compassion that defines a callous person)
"The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference." - Elie Wiesel (Similar to #2, this quote suggests that indifference is a form of callousness)
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela (This quote suggests that those who give up easily might be seen as callous towards their own potential)
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." - Nelson Mandela (This quote implies that those who discriminate have learned to be callous towards others)
"The question of whether we can make the world a better place for all humanity depends on how many people you can get to care." - Marian Wright Edelman (This quote suggests that a lack of care is a form of callousness that hinders progress)
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." - Barack Obama (This quote implies that those who wait for change to happen without taking action are callous towards the current situation)
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr. (Similar to #6, this quote suggests that hate is a learned behaviour that reflects a callous heart).
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (This quote, while not directly about callousness, suggests that those who are arrogant and unwilling to learn might be seen as callous towards the potential for knowledge)
Etymology
The word "callous" comes from a long journey! It all started with the Latin word "callum," which means "hard skin" or a "tough substance." Imagine a thick callus on your foot from wearing sandals all summer.
Around the 14th century, English borrowed this word and changed it slightly to "callous." It kept the meaning of something hard and tough, but it also gained a new meaning. Because calluses make your skin less sensitive, "callous" started to be used for people who seemed emotionally tough and uncaring. Just like a callus, they wouldn't be easily affected by the feelings of others.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Callous
Callous disregard: This refers to a complete lack of concern or respect for something, often the feelings or well-being of others. (e.g., "The company showed a callous disregard for the environment when they dumped waste into the river.")
Have a callous heart: This describes someone who is unsympathetic and doesn't care about the suffering of others. (e.g., "The war had hardened his heart, and he became callous to the pain around him.")
A callous remark: This refers to a comment that is insensitive and hurtful. (e.g., "She made a callous remark about his weight, not realising how much it would upset him.")
Grow a callous skin: This is an idiom that means to become less sensitive to criticism or negativity over time. (e.g., "After years in customer service, she'd grown a callous skin to rude comments.")
With callous indifference: This phrase describes a situation where someone is completely unconcerned about something, even if it's important. (e.g., "He walked past the homeless man with callous indifference.")
Posts Related to Callous
Source Information
Definition of callous from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
