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."
"The cellar stays cool even on the hottest afternoons."
2
Calm and composed, especially under pressure.
"She stayed cool during the emergency and got everyone out safely."
"He stayed cool and kept smiling while the crowd shouted."
"Try to keep cool when the exam starts and read each question carefully."
3
(informal) Fashionable, impressive, or admirable.
"Everyone thought his new bike was really cool."
"That's a cool idea for the party."
"Those sunglasses look really cool on you."
4
(informal) Acceptable; fine.
"Is it cool if I bring a friend tonight?"
"Don't worry about the mess, it's cool, I'll tidy it later."
"Are you cool with meeting an hour earlier tomorrow?"
noun
1
A calm, composed manner; one's composure.
"He nearly lost his cool when the flight was cancelled."
"She kept her cool even when the microphone stopped working."
"Losing your cool in front of customers is never a good idea."
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."
"Leave the cake on a rack to cool completely."
2
To become less intense, enthusiastic, or friendly.
"Relations between the two countries have cooled in recent years."
"Their enthusiasm for the project cooled after the first few weeks."
"Her anger cooled once she had time to think."
How to use cool
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cools
- Past tense
- cooled
- Comparative
- cooler
- Superlative
- coolest
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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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