cold reading

noun

The technique, or an instance, of using likely guesses and assumptions, then narrowing in on any positive responses, in order to give the impression of having information about a person or event.

“Acting auditions often include cold reading.”

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Meanings

nouncold reading (countable and uncountable, plural cold readings)

plural cold readings

  1. countableuncountableThe technique, or an instance, of using likely guesses and assumptions, then narrowing in on any positive responses, in order to give the impression of having information about a person or event.

    The self-described psychic was merely using cold reading.

  2. countableuncountableUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cold, reading.

    Acting auditions often include cold reading.

Cite this entry
APA

cold reading. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cold%20reading

MLA

“cold reading.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cold%20reading. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cold reading,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cold%20reading.

Source: cold reading on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.