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cool

13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for cool, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Slightly cold; at a mildly low temperature.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

nippy poise aplomb cool off cool down sang-froid assuredness

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Slightly cold; at a mildly low temperature.

“A cool breeze came off the lake in the evening.”

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

Opposites

2. noun

A calm, composed manner; one's composure.

“He nearly lost his cool when the flight was cancelled.”

3. verb

To become less hot, or to make something less hot.

“Let the pie cool before slicing it.”

Opposites

How to use cool

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

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

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."

Full origin of 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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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.