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stony

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstoʊni// UK //stˈəʊni// stony Slang

adj. showing no emotion or sympathy. You use this to describe someone who looks cold or unfriendly, especially in their expression.

adj. characterised by a lack of emotion, sympathy, or warmth. Often used to describe facial expressions or silence that suggests a refusal to be moved or persuaded.


SIMPLE

She gave him a stony look when he tried to apologize.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness remained stony throughout the trial, refusing to show any remorse for his actions.

COMPLEX

His proposal was met with a stony silence that chilled the room, making it clear that no further negotiation would be tolerated by the board.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English stony, stoni, stani, from Old English stāniġ, stǣniġ (“stony, rocky”), from Proto-Germanic *stainagaz (“stony”), equivalent to stone + -y. Cognate with Scots stany (“stony”), West Frisian stienich (“stony”), Dutch stenig (“stony, metalled”), German steinig (“stony, rocky, gravelly”), Swedish stenig (“stony, rocky, pebbly”).

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun like 'silence', 'look', or 'glare'.

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