cool

¹cool

adjective \ˈkül\

Definition of COOL

1

: moderately cold : lacking in warmth

2

a : marked by steady dispassionate calmness and self-control <a cool and calculating administrator — Current Biography>

b : lacking ardor or friendliness <a cool impersonal manner>

c of jazz : marked by restrained emotion and the frequent use of counterpoint

d : free from tensions or violence <we used to fight, but we're cool now>

3

—used as an intensive <a cool million dollars>

4

: marked by deliberate effrontery or lack of due respect or discretion <a cool reply>

5

: facilitating or suggesting relief from heat <a cool dress>

6

a of a color : producing an impression of being cool; specifically : of a hue in the range violet through blue to green

b of a musical tone : relatively lacking in timbre or resonance

7

slang

a : very good : excellent; also : all right

b : fashionable, hip <not happy with the new shoes … because they were not cool — Celestine Sibley>

— cool·ish \ˈkü-lish\ adjective

— cool·ly also cooly \ˈkü(l)-lē\ adverb

— cool·ness \ˈkül-nəs\ noun

Examples of COOL

1. The weather is cool today.
2. The surface is cool to the touch.
3. The plant grows best in cool climates.
4. I'm feeling a little cool.
5. We changed into some cooler clothes.
6. She remained calm, cool, and collected.

Origin of COOL

Middle English col, from Old English cōl; akin to Old High German kuoli cool, Old English ceald cold — more at cold

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to COOL

Synonyms

aloof, antisocial, asocial, buttoned-up, cold, cold-eyed, detached, distant, dry, frosty, offish, remote, standoff, standoffish, unbending, unclubbable, unsociable

Antonyms

cordial, friendly, sociable, social, warm

Related Words

indrawn, introverted, nongregarious, recessive, reclusive, reserved, unsocial, withdrawn; misanthropic; apathetic, hard, indifferent, unconcerned; clinical, dispassionate, impersonal, professional; disinterested, incurious, uninterested; reticent, silent, taciturn, uncommunicative; diffident, shy, timid; cliquey, cliquish, clubbish

Near Antonyms

boon, clubbable (also clubable), clubby, companionable, convivial, extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing; communicative, expansive, garrulous, talkative; affable, folksy, genial, gracious, hospitable; agreeable, amiable, congenial, kindly, neighborly

Synonym Discussion of COOL

cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable, nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement. cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness <kept a cool head>. composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition <the composed pianist gave a flawless concert>. collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis <the nurse stayed calm and collected>. unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement <harried but unruffled>. imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation <the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling>. nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern <a nonchalant driver>.

Rhymes with COOL

boule, boulle, drool, fool, fuel, ghoul, gul, mewl, mule, pool, Poole, pul, pule, rule, school, spool, stool, tool, tulle, yule

²cool

verb

Definition of COOL

intransitive verb

1

: to become cool : lose heat or warmth <placed the pie in the window to cool> —sometimes used with off or down

2

: to lose ardor or passion <his anger cooled>

transitive verb

1

: to make cool : impart a feeling of coolness to <cooled the room with a fan> —often used with off or down <a swim cooled us off a little>

2

a : to moderate the heat, excitement, or force of : calm <cooled her growing anger>

b : to slow or lessen the growth or activity of —usually used with off or down <wants to cool off the economy without freezing it — Newsweek>

— cool it

: to calm down : go easy <the word went out to the young to cool it — W. M. Young>

— cool one's heels

: to wait or be kept waiting for a long time especially from or as if from disdain or discourtesy

Examples of COOL

1. The fan cools the engine.
2. the cooling effect of the breeze
3. Allow the cake to cool before slicing.
4. the cooling of the ocean waters
5. I took a break from the discussion to allow my anger to cool.
6. His interest in her has cooled somewhat.

First Known Use of COOL

before 12th century

Related to COOL

Synonyms

chill, refrigerate

Antonyms

heat, toast, warm

Related Words

air-condition; freeze, frost, ice, quick-freeze, supercool; ventilate

Near Antonyms

bake, boil, broil, steam; heat-treat, temper; microwave

³cool

noun

Definition of COOL

1

: a cool time, place, or situation <the cool of the evening>

2

a : absence of excitement or emotional involvement : detachment <must surrender his fine cool and enter the closed crazy world of suicide — Wilfrid Sheed>

b : poise, composure <press questions … seemed to rattle him and he lost his cool — New Republic>

3

: hipness

Examples of COOL

1. <the judge's customary cool stood him in good stead during the sensational trial>
2. <I envy you your cool.>

First Known Use of COOL

15th century

Related to COOL

Synonyms

coldness, detachment, dispassion, dispassionateness

Antonyms

unfashionableness

Related Words

equitability, equitableness, fairness; disinterest, disinterestedness, impartiality, nonpartisanship, objectivity, unbiasedness; balance, rationality, rationalness, reasonability, reasonableness; calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietness, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness; reserve, undemonstrativeness, unresponsiveness; apathy, indifference

Near Antonyms

emotionalism; bias, favor, one-sidedness, partiality, partisanship, prejudice

⁴cool

adverb

Definition of COOL

: in a casual and nonchalant manner <play it cool>

Examples of COOL

1. Here comes Mom. Act cool and she won't suspect a thing.

First Known Use of COOL

1841