callused
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈkæl.əst/
KK: /ˈkæl.əst/
adjective
Definition
Having thickened and hardened skin, often due to repeated friction or pressure.
Example
After years of playing the guitar, his fingers became callused and tough.
Conversation
I noticed your hands look really callused from all that gardening.
Yeah, I've been spending a lot of time working in the dirt lately.
It must feel tough when you get those callused spots.
It does, but I think it's worth it for a beautiful garden!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
hardened
rough
tough
Antonyms
soft
sensitive
delicate
verb
Definition
To develop a thickened and hardened area of skin, often due to repeated friction or pressure.
Example
After months of playing the guitar, his fingers became callused.
Tense Forms
Past: callused
Past Participle: callused
Conversation
I noticed your hands look a bit callused from all that gardening.
Yeah, I've been working on the flower beds all week.
It must be worth it if the flowers are looking good.
Root Explanation
Callused → It is formed from "callus" (from Latin *callus*, meaning hard skin) and the suffix "-ed" (indicating a state or condition). The word "callused" describes the condition of having hard skin, typically due to repeated friction or pressure.
Memory Tip
Think of 'callus' as hard skin formed from friction, and remember that 'callused' means being in that state of having hard skin.
Visually Confused Words
scalled
camused
allseed