cool 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkül How to pronounce cool (audio)
Definition of coolnext
1
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others the locals were cool towards outsiders the schoolmaster's cool manner did not encourage chitchat

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2
as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation in a crisis keep a cool head, even if no one else is

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3
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature a cool basement that would be perfect for storing wine

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4
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling directed a cool glance at the student who was sneaking into class late

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5
as in stylish
slang being in the latest or current fashion had a cool new hairstyle

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6
as in downtown
slang keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment a Greek island that's the current favorite of the cool crowd

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7
as in awesome
slang of the very best kind a really cool garage band that's starting to get some attention from the music industry

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cool

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to chill
to cause to lose heat cool your drinks in the icy mountain stream

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2
as in to hush
to become still and orderly after the recess, tempers had cooled, and we could have a civil, rational discussion

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cool

3 of 3

noun

1
as in detachment
the absence of emotional involvement the judge's customary cool stood her in good stead during the sensational trial

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2
as in fashionableness
the quality or state of being fashionable a designer who was the arbiter of cool

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3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper despite the flood of insults, the fledgling stand-up comic never lost his cool

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For
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a cool head
a rational head
a clear head
a fair-minded head
a steady head
a peaceful head
a cool breeze
a refreshing breeze
a crisp breeze
a fresh breeze
a brisk breeze
a lovely breeze
a cool drink
a chilled drink
an iced drink
an icy drink
a fresh-tasting drink
a frosty drink
a cool place
a popular place
a groovy place
an awesome place
a neat place
an interesting place
cool colors
pretty colors
unique colors
sick colors
funky colors
stylish colors

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cool different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cool are collected, composed, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to cool?

The words collected and cool can be used in similar contexts, but collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When is composed a more appropriate choice than cool?

While in some cases nearly identical to cool, composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

When can imperturbable be used instead of cool?

Although the words imperturbable and cool have much in common, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When is it sensible to use nonchalant instead of cool?

The meanings of nonchalant and cool largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When might unruffled be a better fit than cool?

In some situations, the words unruffled and cool are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cool
Adjective
Shop lightweight quilts that are ideal for staying cool during summer, gel fiber pillows that offer ample support, and an all-season down alternative comforter while they’re marked down. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 31 May 2025 Cooling bedding is a summertime essential, and Amazon has a slew of all-weather quilts that’ll help keep you cool comfy throughout even the warmest nights. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2025
Verb
Coronal rain forms when hotter plasma in the sun's corona cools and condenses. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 29 May 2025 As a result, what is usually a fiercely competitive space is cooling. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Noun
Eventually, some of that air cools, forms precipitation and then a combination of wind and precipitation rushes to the ground in a downdraft. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025 Greer kept his cool and noted the 10% tariff is on the low end. —Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cool
  1. distant
  2. calm
  3. cold
  4. icy
  5. stylish
  6. downtown
  7. awesome
  8. chill
Adjective
  • The trick was to keep them distant and yet connected, and find ways to not make the audience wait to see their chemistry, because the John Corbett and Sarah Jessica Parker chemistry is undeniable and a gift.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • Within 23 hours, the signals will be as far from Earth as NASA’s Voyager 1, the world’s most distant spacecraft at more than 15 billion miles in interstellar space.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Considered one of the state’s best beach towns, Biloxi is known for its picturesque sand and calm waters that are protected by barrier islands just south of the beach in the Gulf of Mexico.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • But amid all of the tears and dancing and singing, from Freed From Desire on the pitch to Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten in the dressing room, stood one proud, calm man.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Definition of calm
Adjective
  • The Thursday Murder Club, based on Richard Osman’s novel of the same name, follows four retirees — Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie) — who solve cold case murders for fun.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • Following a horrific incident that destroys what’s left of his emotional stability, he is assigned to a high-profile cold case that forces him to confront his inadequacies.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.
    — Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Fortunately, Amazon is overflowing with affordable, stylish, and cooling linen pants that will instantly upgrade your most casual outfits while keeping you comfy, regardless of the temperature.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
  • During summer, the options are limited to a few core fabrics that don’t retain heat and look stylish for the season: linen, seersucker and tropical wool.
    — Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of stylish
Adjective
  • The Shark Tank had to be downtown, so downtown had to get bigger.
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Brian Hopkins, 2nd, whose ward includes Streeterville, responded by calling (not for the first time) for moving the existing 10 p.m. curfew for minors who are downtown without an accompanying adult back to 8 p.m.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of downtown
Adjective
  • He’s been awesome and the rest of the guys have been awesome.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
  • There was an awesome sequence where Finn Balor missed the Coup de Grace, followed by a stomp on Balor by Rollins and a Helluva Kick on Rollins by Zayn.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of awesome
Verb
  • Journalists who disagree with Trump have been called out by name and attacked in an effort to chill speech and discourage opposition.
    — John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2025
  • It’s chilled, refreshing, and highlights fresh Gulf seafood.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 26 May 2025
Definition of chill

Phrases Containing cool

Browse Nearby Words

cook (up)
cool
cool (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Cool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cool. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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