Dictionary.com
definitions

sang-froid

[French sahn-frwa]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sang-froid ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

coolness of mind; calmness; composure: They committed the robbery with complete sang-froid.

RELATED CONTENT

bare
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
What is the difference between a philharmonic and a symphony?
A philharmonic is a symphony orchestra or the group that supports it. A symphony is a large orchestra. An orchestra is a large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments. So, philharmonic and symphony orchestra are synonymous. Philharmonic comes from Greek words meaning ‘love of harmony’ and in this instance is a colloquial shortening of “philharmonic society” or “philharmonic orchestra.” The term only dates back to …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

composure, self-possession, coolness, equanimity, self-assurance, poise, aplomb, calmness, equilibrium, sangfroid, unflappability

Origin of sang-froid

1740–50; < French: literally, cold blood

Synonyms for sang-froid

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sang-froid ON THESAURUS.COM
self-possession, poise, equanimity, self-control, nerve, courage, steadiness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sang-froid

Contemporary Examples of sang-froid

  • Spaniards have always been miscast as hotheads; they are, in fact, the masters of sang-froid.

    The Daily Beast logo
    Spain's Win: Cosmic Justice

    Tunku Varadarajan

    July 11, 2010

Historical Examples of sang-froid

  • "Nothing at all," he said with the sang-froid of the experienced traveler.

    Little Miss Grouch

    Samuel Hopkins Adams

  • She had the strength and sang-froid of a woman in the prime of life.

    Sons and Lovers

    David Herbert Lawrence

  • At tea Clara felt the refinement and sang-froid of the household.

    Sons and Lovers

    David Herbert Lawrence

  • My case was desperate and only a miracle of sang-froid could save me.

    My Friends the Savages

    Giovanni Battista Cerruti

  • But he, M. Lacheneur, had been wise enough to retain his sang-froid.

    The Honor of the Name

    Emile Gaboriau

British Dictionary definitions for sang-froid

sang-froid

noun

composure; self-possession; calmness

Word Origin for sang-froid

C18: from French, literally: cold blood
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for sang-froid
n.

"presence of mind, composure," 1712, from French sang froid, literally "cool blood," from sang "blood" (from Latin sanguis; see sanguinary) + froid "cold" (from Latin frigidus; see frigid).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper