cold call

noun

1. a visit or telephone call to a prospective customer without an appointment or a previous introduction.

cold call

noun

1. a call made by a salesman on a potential customer without making an appointment

verb

1. to call on (a potential customer) without making an appointment

Derived Forms

• cold calling, noun
• cold caller, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cold call¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

“I don’t have time to cold call all day,” said one real estate agent who asked to remain anonymous due to the potential taboo of using the technology.

From Los Angeles Times

Back then, Taylor received a cold call from the CEO of BMG, Hartwig Masuch.

From Salon

Did you just cold call her too, or did you know her previously?

From Salon

In it, an identified man disguises his threat as a cold call from a company selling graveyard plots and coffins.

From BBC

“It’s not a cold call, but a quicker way to vulnerability and hitting the royal flush.”

From Washington Times