adj

callow

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Callow (adj) means Young and lacking experience of life.

adj

Young and lacking experience of life.

(archaic) Without any hair; bald.

"These hands were marked of hard work and yet soft enough to tenderly hold the baby's little callow head." — Altea pseudonym (2011)

(of a brick) Not yet fired in a kiln.

Describes a young bird that has not grown its feathers yet, or, more widely, a young animal still without fur.

"Those three young men are particularly callow youths."

"Bernard, there are only 630 MPs, if one party has just over 300 MPs it forms a government—of that 300, 100 are too old and too silly, 100 are too young and too callow, which leaves just about a hundred MPs to fill 100 government posts." — Antony Jay, The Economy Drive (1980)

Easily confused with

callous →

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

From Middle English calwe (“(adjective) bald; (noun) bald person”), from Old English calu, caluw (“without hair, bald, callow”), from Proto-West Germanic *kalu, from Proto-Germanic *kalwaz (“bald; bare, naked”), and then either: * from Proto-Indo-European *gol(H)-wo- (“bald; bare, naked”), from *gelH- (“head; naked”); or * from Latin calvus (“bald”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kl̥H- (“bald; naked”). If not borrowed from Latin, Grimm’s law indicates that the Latin word is likely a false cognate, along with Persian کل (kal) and Sanskrit कुल्व (kulvá). cognates * Dutch kaal (“bald”) * German kahl (“bald”) * German Low German kahl (“bald”) * Russian го́лый (gólyj, “bare, naked, nude”) * Swedish kal, kalka (“bald”) * West Frisian keal (“bald”)

Synonyms

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fledgling unfledged

Antonyms

experienced mature

Related words

had old young season age grow develop experienced

Rhymes for callow

allow mallow wallow hallow fallow swallow shallow marshmallow

See all rhymes for callow →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of callow?

"callow" (adj) means young and lacking experience of life.

What is another word for callow?

Other words for "callow" include fledgling, unfledged.

What is the opposite of callow?

Opposites of "callow" include experienced, mature.

What are the different meanings of callow?

"callow" has 3 main meanings: 1. Young and lacking experience of life; 2. (archaic) Without any hair; bald; 3. (of a brick) Not yet fired in a kiln.

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had old young season age grow develop experienced