interjection
cool beans
kool BEENZ
Cool beans (interjection) means an informal expression of approval, agreement or mild delight, used to say that something is good news or fine by you. Example: “I got us tickets for Friday." "Cool beans.”
interjection
1
slang An informal expression of approval, agreement or mild delight, used to say that something is good news or fine by you.
""I got us tickets for Friday." "Cool beans.""
"Cool beans, I'll see you at eight then."
How to use cool beans
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA jokey way of saying 'great'.
When to use it
Very informal slang, often used ironically or self-mockingly. Out of place in any formal setting.
Memory tip
It is a standalone reply, not an adjective — you cannot say 'that is a cool beans idea'.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
cool beans, thanks
well, cool beans
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for cool beans
See all rhymes for cool beans →Frequently asked questions
What does cool beans mean?
It is a light-hearted way of saying 'great' or 'that's fine'. It carries no more meaning than 'cool' on its own; the beans just make it sound sillier and friendlier.
Is cool beans outdated?
It reads as dated and deliberately goofy to most speakers now, which is largely why it survives — people use it half-ironically, often to sound cheerfully uncool.
Where does the phrase cool beans come from?
The origin is not documented with any certainty. It is an American slang intensifier of 'cool' that spread widely in the late twentieth century, and any specific claim about who coined it should be treated with suspicion.
What is the meaning of cool beans?
"cool beans" (interjection) means an informal expression of approval, agreement or mild delight, used to say that something is good news or fine by you.
