cold turkey

US: (kōld′tûr′kē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈcold ˈtur•key, n. [uncountable]

1. Informal Terms sudden and complete withdrawal from the use of an addictive substance:
   went cold turkey to stop smoking.

adv. 

2. abruptly and completely:
   to withdraw cold turkey from a drug.
3. without preparation:
   He gave the speech cold turkey.

cold--tur•key, adj.: 

cold-turkey withdrawal.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cold′ tur′key, [Informal.]

1. Informal Terms abrupt and complete withdrawal from the use of an addictive substance, as a narcotic drug, alcohol, or tobacco.
2. Idioms go cold turkey:
   • to stop using an addictive substance abruptly and completely.
   • to undergo sudden and complete withdrawal from a habitual activity or behavior pattern.
   • to begin or do something without planning, preparation, or practice.

• 1915–20, American; probably from the phrase to talk cold turkey to speak bluntly about something unpleasant, variant of to talk turkey; see turkey

cold-tur•key  (kōld′tûr′kē), [Slang.]
v.t. 

1. Slang Terms to withdraw from (an addictive substance or a habit) abruptly and completely.

v.i. 

2. Slang Terms to withdraw from an addictive substance or a habit abruptly and completely.

adj. 

3. Slang Terms abrupt and complete:
   cold-turkey withdrawal from drugs.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cold turkey noun

1. a method of curing drug addiction by abrupt withdrawal of all doses
2. the withdrawal symptoms, esp nausea and shivering, brought on by this method