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adjective A1 Beginner Very common

cool

kool

Cool (adjective) means Slightly cold; at a mildly low temperature. Example: “A cool breeze came off the lake in the evening.”

adjective
1
Slightly cold; at a mildly low temperature.
"A cool breeze came off the lake in the evening."
"Store the medicine in a cool, dry place."
2
Calm and composed, especially under pressure.
"She stayed cool during the emergency and got everyone out safely."
3
(informal) Fashionable, impressive, or admirable.
"Everyone thought his new bike was really cool."
"That's a cool idea for the party."
4
(informal) Acceptable; fine.
"Is it cool if I bring a friend tonight?"
noun
1
A calm, composed manner; one's composure.
"He nearly lost his cool when the flight was cancelled."
verb
1
To become less hot, or to make something less hot.
"Let the pie cool before slicing it."
"A fan helped cool the room down."
2
To become less intense, enthusiastic, or friendly.
"Relations between the two countries have cooled in recent years."

How to use cool

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMildly cold in temperature, or (informally) calm, fashionable, or simply "okay."

Common mistake

As slang for "fine/acceptable," keep it out of formal writing — "Is that cool?" reads casual even in an email.

Common pairings
cool as a cucumber keep your cool lose your cool cool down stay cool

Word forms

cooler comparative, cooled past tense, cools singular, coolest superlative

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Test yourself on “cool” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ breeze came off the lake in the evening.

Etymology

From Old English cōl, going back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to freeze" or "be cold" — the same ancient root that gave English the word "cold."

Origin: Old English

chilly chilled crisp fresh cold nippy chill poise aplomb cool off cool down sang-froid

Related words

Rhymes for cool

See all rhymes for cool →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cool” mean?

The word “cool” means slightly cold; at a mildly low temperature. In plain terms, mildly cold in temperature, or (informally) calm, fashionable, or simply "okay.".

How do you pronounce “cool”?

“Cool” is pronounced kool (/kul/ in IPA).

How do you use “cool” in a sentence?

Here is “cool” used in a sentence: “A cool breeze came off the lake in the evening.”

What part of speech is “cool”?

Depending on how it is used, “cool” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cool” come from?

The word “cool” comes from Old English. From Old English cōl, going back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to freeze" or "be cold" — the same ancient root that gave English the word "cold.".

Is “cool” a common word?

“Cool” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “cool” have?

“Cool” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slightly cold; at a mildly low temperature.

What is the difference between cool and cold?

Both describe low temperatures, but 'cool' is milder than 'cold.' Cool means slightly chilly, often pleasant — a cool breeze on a warm day. Cold means a much lower, sometimes uncomfortable temperature. Cool sits between warm and cold on the scale, suggesting a gentle, refreshing lack of heat.

What is the difference between cool and warm?

They lie on opposite sides of comfortable room temperature. 'Cool' means slightly cold — a mild, refreshing lack of heat, like a cool evening. 'Warm' means slightly hot — a gentle, comfortable heat, like a warm afternoon. Cool leans toward cold, warm leans toward hot, and both are moderate.

What is an example of something cool?

A cool breeze, a cool drink of water, a cool autumn morning, or the cool side of a pillow are all mildly cold in a pleasant way. A cellar stays cool because it is shaded and below ground. In each, the temperature is refreshingly low but not truly cold.

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