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Definition of callow

callow

/ˈkæl.oʊ/
cal · low
Adverb:callowly
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callow Lexical Profile

callow Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Inexperienced and immature (especially of a young person).

Example

"As a callow undergraduate, he believed that complex social problems had simple, immediate solutions."

2

Lacking feathers; unfledged (of a young bird).

Example

"The ornithologist carefully observed the callow chicks huddled together inside the nest."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for callow
Antonyms
View all antonyms for callow

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'callow' (inexperienced and immature) with 'callous' (emotionally hardened and insensitive).

• Rhymes for callow

• Nearby Words

callously
callousness
callout
callow
callsign
callus
calm

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'calu', meaning 'bald' or 'bare', probably an early borrowing from Latin 'calvus' (bald). The sense evolved from describing newly hatched birds lacking feathers to describing young people lacking life experience.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Callow. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/callow
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