calloused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calloused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is emotionally insensitive or hardened due to past experiences. Example: "After years of dealing with betrayal, she had become calloused and found it hard to trust anyone again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, he was recovering after a hand transplant as Warne's natural hands were clearly unacceptably calloused and appeared to have done more in their life than flick his hair and not eat.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are quite unlike the hands of his outdoors brothers, hard-working men with palms that are calloused by the axes they grip, the chains they clutch, and the ropes they pull on their lobster traps.At a conference of orthodontists in Dallas, Alexander MacDonald falls into conversation with a fellow practitioner whose tag reads: "Hi!

The Economist

But peace can bring economic benefits many times greater.The aid sceptics—some of them veterans of the industry, their palms calloused from many previous bouts of hand-wringing over Africa—have all the best lines in the debate.

The Economist

Others had left the service by the time the fact of the massacre became public and the legal problem of bringing any of them to justice has not been solved.Granted that Son My was not a usual event, it would still seem that the war has calloused a lot of consciences.

The Economist

That time is spent hunched over sewing tables, fingers pricked and calloused from stitching hundreds, even thousands of beads, some only a few millimetres in diameter, to form a richly detailed portrait.

The Economist

You might end up with a slightly calloused hand.

Independent

He had powerful arms and heavily calloused hands.

The New Yorker

What could his calloused hands produce to make her smile?"); a group of children scapegoat her as her misfortune worsens ("All of us — all who knew her — felt so wholesome after we cleaned ourselves on her.

The New Yorker

His hands were calloused and his skin was ruddy from hours spent weeding his commune's vegetable patches and herding its goats.

The New Yorker

"You will cry!" he shouts, indicating with a calloused finger the course of a tear down his face.

The New Yorker

The fingertips on both hands were all calloused — a result of repeated pricking from his glucometer, which he keeps with him in the dugout, to monitor his blood sugar between innings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, use "calloused" to specifically denote skin that has become hardened and thickened due to repeated friction or pressure, often implying manual labor or activity. For example: "The gardener's hands were "calloused" from years of working the soil."

Common error

Avoid using "calloused" to describe emotional states when a more appropriate term like "hardened" or "jaded" would be more accurate. "Calloused" is best reserved for physical descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The word "calloused" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a physical state of being hardened or thickened. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as having become or being made callous.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calloused" is an adjective primarily used to describe skin that has become hardened due to repeated friction or pressure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes a physical state, and is "Very Common" in sources such as News & Media and Science. When writing, remember that while it can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional states, it is best reserved for describing physical attributes. To avoid errors, make sure to distinguish between "calloused" (the adjective) and "callous" (another adjective indicating insensitivity). Consider using synonyms like "hardened" or "toughened" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardened

General term for becoming tough or resistant.

toughened

Emphasizes the process of becoming strong or resilient through hardship.

indurated

A more formal and technical term for hardened tissue.

weather-beaten

Describes skin that is toughened by exposure to the elements.

thick-skinned

Refers to emotional resilience and insensitivity to criticism.

steeled

Suggests a strengthening or hardening of resolve or emotions.

insensitive

Describes a lack of emotional awareness or consideration for others.

obdurate

Implies stubborn resistance to influence, often with a negative connotation.

unfeeling

Suggests a lack of empathy or compassion.

case-hardened

Implies a surface toughness developed over time, like a metal treatment.

FAQs

How can I use "calloused" in a sentence?

"Calloused" is typically used to describe skin that has become hardened and thickened. Example: "His hands were "calloused" from years of playing the guitar."

What's a good synonym for "calloused" when describing hands?

When describing hands, alternatives to "calloused" include "hardened", "rough", or "weathered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "calloused" be used to describe someone's personality?

While primarily used to describe skin, "calloused" can metaphorically describe someone who is emotionally hardened, although terms like "hardened" or "insensitive" are often more appropriate.

What is the difference between "calloused" and "callous"?

"Calloused" is an adjective describing skin that has developed calluses, while "callous" is an adjective describing someone as emotionally hardened or insensitive. They have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.