Phrase guide

cold shoulder

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A deliberate act of disrespect; a slight or snub.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Alternative form of cold-shoulder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a refusal to recognize someone you know

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the snub was clearly intentional

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: snub, cut

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rebuff, slight

History

Etymology

See give someone the cold shoulder.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: хладен прием (hladen priem) — a slight or snub
  • Latin: repulsa — a slight or snub
  • Russian: холо́дный приём (xolódnyj prijóm) — a slight or snub