cool 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkül How to pronounce cool (audio)
Definition of coolnext
1
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others the locals were cool towards outsiders the schoolmaster's cool manner did not encourage chitchat

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2
as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation in a crisis keep a cool head, even if no one else is

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3
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature a cool basement that would be perfect for storing wine

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4
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling directed a cool glance at the student who was sneaking into class late

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5
as in stylish
slang being in the latest or current fashion had a cool new hairstyle

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6
as in downtown
slang keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment a Greek island that's the current favorite of the cool crowd

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7
as in awesome
slang of the very best kind a really cool garage band that's starting to get some attention from the music industry

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cool

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to chill
to cause to lose heat cool your drinks in the icy mountain stream

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2
as in to hush
to become still and orderly after the recess, tempers had cooled, and we could have a civil, rational discussion

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cool

3 of 3

noun

1
as in detachment
the absence of emotional involvement the judge's customary cool stood her in good stead during the sensational trial

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2
as in fashionableness
the quality or state of being fashionable a designer who was the arbiter of cool

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3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper despite the flood of insults, the fledgling stand-up comic never lost his cool

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For
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a cool head
a rational head
a clear head
a fair-minded head
a steady head
a peaceful head
a cool breeze
a refreshing breeze
a crisp breeze
a fresh breeze
a brisk breeze
a lovely breeze
a cool drink
a chilled drink
an iced drink
an icy drink
a fresh-tasting drink
a frosty drink
a cool place
a popular place
a groovy place
an awesome place
a neat place
an interesting place
cool colors
pretty colors
unique colors
sick colors
funky colors
stylish colors

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cool different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cool are collected, composed, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to cool?

The words collected and cool can be used in similar contexts, but collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When is composed a more appropriate choice than cool?

While in some cases nearly identical to cool, composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

When can imperturbable be used instead of cool?

Although the words imperturbable and cool have much in common, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When is it sensible to use nonchalant instead of cool?

The meanings of nonchalant and cool largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When might unruffled be a better fit than cool?

In some situations, the words unruffled and cool are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

Examples of cool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Notes: Pink pepper, rum absolute, tobacco leaf absolute This smells like: Vogue editors have olfactory proof that this smells like New York’s coolest guys. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 Climate and environment Lighter winds, cooler temperatures and rising humidity are aiding the crews fighting wildfires in the Golden State As bird flu outbreaks rise, piles of dead cattle are shocking the Central Valley dairy industry. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
Axiom Space The suit has a carbon dioxide scrubbing and cooling technology that is probably a refinement on the sublimation system used for Apollo. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2024 For tenants, this cooling market could present opportunities to negotiate more favorable lease terms, secure rent reductions, or lock in concessions like tenant improvements or free rent periods. —Allen Buchanan, Orange County Register, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
The carriage fight between ABC owner Disney and DirecTV is over, but the battle over the aftermath of a debate that saw a raging Trump lose more than his cool is still going on. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2024 The biggest takeaway, Harris was prepared, Trump lost his cool. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cool 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cool.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Phrases Containing cool

Thesaurus Entries Near cool

cook (up)

cool

cool (down)

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Cite this Entry

“Cool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cool. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cool

Nglish: Translation of cool for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cool for Arabic Speakers

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