cold fish

noun

: a cold aloof person

Examples of cold fish in a Sentence

She's a lovely person, but her husband's a bit of a cold fish. her husband is such a cold fish that I'm reluctant to have them over for dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lancelot, still the Round Table’s greatest hero, is a bit of a cold fish with an unexpected role to play as the saga winds to its close. Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024 This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish). Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold fish was in 1924

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20fish. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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