stone cold
Very cold (literally); lacking any semblance of warmth.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My coffee is stone cold now.”
“He left his dinner on the table for an hour, and now it is stone cold.”
“Despite the fire burning in the hearth, the room felt stone cold, reflecting the icy silence between the two guests.”
The expression draws upon the archetype of stone as a substance generally cold to the touch. This literal comparison transitioned into figurative use to denote a high degree of temperature loss or, alternatively, an absolute state of certainty. From the literal chill of the mineral to the emphatic chill of the adjective.
- 01
a cold day in July
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 02
blow hot and cold
To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.
- 03
carved in stone
Unchangeable.
- 04
cast the first stone
To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.
- 05
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
- 06
cold cash
Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.
- 07
cold chills
Feelings of fear.
- 08
cold comfort
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
Last updated August 10, 2026