adjective
Common
cooling
KOO-lihng
Cooling (adjective) means producing a lower temperature or a refreshing sense of coldness. Example: “She pressed a cooling gel pad against her sunburnt shoulders.”
adjective
1
Producing a lower temperature or a refreshing sense of coldness.
"She pressed a cooling gel pad against her sunburnt shoulders."
"The cooling effect of the mint made the drink very refreshing."
"The cooling breeze made the summer heat bearable."
noun
1
A reduction in temperature, or the process of achieving one.
"Leave the cake on a rack for cooling before you add the icing."
"The system relies on water cooling to prevent overheating."
"Forecasters predict a slight cooling over the weekend."
How to use cooling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that lowers temperature, or the process of getting cooler.
Common pairings
cooling system
cooling effect
cooling period
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Word forms
- Plural
- coolings
- Comparative
- more cooling
- Superlative
- most cooling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She pressed a _____ gel pad against her sunburnt shoulders.
Etymology
By surface analysis, formed from cool and -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cooling
See all rhymes for cooling →Frequently asked questions
What does “cooling” mean?
The word “cooling” means producing a lower temperature or a refreshing sense of coldness. In plain terms, something that lowers temperature, or the process of getting cooler.
How do you pronounce “cooling”?
“Cooling” is pronounced KOO-lihng (/ˈkulɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cooling” in a sentence?
Here is “cooling” used in a sentence: “The cooling breeze made the summer heat bearable.”
What part of speech is “cooling”?
Depending on how it is used, “cooling” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “cooling” a common word?
“Cooling” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cooling” have?
“Cooling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: producing a lower temperature or a refreshing sense of coldness.
What is the difference between cooling and chilling?
Both involve lowering a temperature, but chilling implies making something distinctly cold, while cooling can be gentler — simply reducing warmth or giving a refreshing sense of coldness. Chilling also has a separate figurative meaning of frightening, as in "a chilling story," which cooling does not share.
What is a cooling-off period?
A cooling-off period is a set stretch of time in which a buyer may cancel a purchase or contract without penalty, or in which two sides in a dispute pause so tempers can settle. The phrase extends the idea of cooling from temperature to emotions.
What is the difference between cooling and coolant?
Cooling is the process — a reduction in temperature or the act of achieving one — while coolant is the substance used to bring it about, such as the liquid circulating through an engine or a computer. The coolant absorbs heat and carries it away, producing the cooling.
What words commonly go with cooling?
Common collocations include cooling system, cooling effect, cooling breeze, cooling fan, and cooling-off period. As a noun, cooling often follows adjectives such as rapid, gradual, or evaporative, as in "rapid cooling of the metal."
