Phrase guide

stone cold

adj · adv · 4 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

adj

Meaning 1

Very cold (literally); lacking any semblance of warmth.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: ice-cold, cold as ice, icy, freezing cold, frigid, cold as a well-digger's arse; see also Thesaurus:cold
  • I forgot to turn on the burner under the soup and found it sitting there, still stone cold, twenty minutes later.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ice-cold, cold as ice, icy, freezing cold, frigid, cold as a well-digger's arse, algid, Arctic, Baltic, boreal, brass monkeys, brumal, chill, chilled, chilly, clay-cold, cold, cold as a mackerel, cold as charity, freezing, frosty, frore, frozen, gelid, glacial, hiemal, inclement, nesh, nippy, parky, polar, sleety, snowy, taters, wintry

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cold

2

adj

Meaning 2

Lacking emotion or compassion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • a stone-cold demeanor
  • a stone-cold killer

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stony, cold

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Certain; definite; obvious.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • a stone cold certainty
  • a stone cold guarantee

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

Certainly; definitely; obviously.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable, usually

Examples

  • It is stone cold guaranteed that that guy will get his clock cleaned if he shows up here today.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dead

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

The literal sense reflects the archetype of stone: it is usually cold to the touch and often quite cold. The figurative senses emphasize the high degree of coldness or of certainty.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: jääkylmä — very cold
  • Portuguese: muito frio — very cold
  • Finnish: vuorenvarma — definite