cool

adjective

\ ˈkül

Definition of cool

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : moderately cold : lacking in warmth The plant grows best in cool climates.

2a : marked by steady dispassionate calmness and self-control a cool and calculating businessperson

b : lacking ardor or friendliness a cool impersonal manner

c of jazz : marked by restrained emotion and the frequent use of counterpoint (see counterpoint entry 1)

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

6a 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 (see resonance sense 2a)

7 informal

a : very good : excellent That was a really cool movie. also : all right Is getting together Friday night cool with you?

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

cool

verb

cooled; cooling; cools

Definition of cool (Entry 2 of 4)

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.

2a : 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

cool

noun

Definition of cool (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a cool time, place, or situation the cool of the evening

2a : 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 The player lost his cool and began yelling at the referee.

3 : hipness

cool

adverb

Definition of cool (Entry 4 of 4)

: in a casual and nonchalant manner play it cool

Other Words from cool Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about cool

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Other Words from cool

Adjective

coolish \ ˈkü-lish

\ adjective

coolly or less commonly cooly \ ˈkü(l)-lē

\ adverb

coolness \ ˈkül-nəs

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for cool

Adjective

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

Examples of cool in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Verb

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

Noun

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

Adverb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In the world of engineering, scientists hope this method can one day be used to cool buildings without creating the harmful greenhouse gases caused by air conditioning. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "How solar panels could cool our homes while harvesting energy," 12 Nov. 2018 Cook lentils per package directions. Drain and rinse to cool. — Joy Bauer, Ms, Woman's Day, "Lentil Hummus," 25 Oct. 2018 Saturday’s high was 105 degrees, and the weather began to cool on Sunday, when the high was 99 degrees at Ramona Airport. — Ramona Sentinel, "Town sizzles through record-breaking heat," 11 July 2018 Moving the match to the evening will allow the temperatures to cool slightly on the pitch and in the stands. — Iliana Limón Romero, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City at LAFC match moved to 11 p.m. to avoid heat problems," 7 July 2018 To remedy this, an initiative is equipping about 50 women in Hadado, a village about 50 miles from Wajir, with refrigerators to cool the milk that remote camel herders send them via tuk-tuk taxi, plus a van to transport it daily to Wajir. — Zoe Tabary, The Christian Science Monitor, "A new use for ATMs in Kenya: camel milk dispenser," 3 July 2018 Large gloss black and silver air intakes and air curtains in the front are dramatic while providing air for cooling the brakes and reducing front-end lift. — Emma Jayne Williams, star-telegram, "Kia’s all-new 2018 Stinger sport sedan offers premium features, performance | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 12 May 2018 Inspired by what its founders view as yoga’s benefits to the mind, body, and soul, Yogabed offers practitioners and newbies alike a foam mattress with a cooling layer to help you wake up refreshed. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "7 New Online Mattress Companies That Want To Sweeten Your Dreams," 15 Feb. 2019 That drop was the result of a cooling U.S. housing market, slower construction activity as well as sharply lower U.S. wood exports to China. — Lucy Craymer, WSJ, "America’s in a Forest Slump and New Zealand Log Prices Are on a Roll," 13 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Let cool on baking sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and let cool completely. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Chocolate Stout Whoopie Pies," 15 Feb. 2019 Let the cobbler cool for about 30 minutes to firm up. — Rebekah Denn, The Seattle Times, "Food52.com writer Kristen Miglore’s book ‘Genius Desserts’ includes several sweet Seattle specialties," 27 Nov. 2018 Let cool for 10 minutes before serving with toasted bread or crackers. — San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Herby Baked Ricotta," 11 Apr. 2018 Transfer chicken to bowl and carrots and celery to cutting board; let cool. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Instant Pot Chicken Soup," 21 Dec. 2018 Remove from heat, stir in mustard and butter, and let cool. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sweet summer on a plate: Fruits can enhance savory dishes, too," 26 June 2018 Transfer to spice mill or mortar and pestle and let cool. — Molly Baz, Bon Appetit, "Pork Shoulder Steaks with Grilled Mustard Greens," 28 May 2018 Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves, and let cool. — Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, "From the Bar: La Vie en Rose," 15 May 2018 Transfer the dough into the work bowl of a food processor or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and let cool, 15 minutes. — Domenica Marchetti, chicagotribune.com, "How to make fried Sicilian St. Joseph's Day treat called sfince," 16 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Place the pot over a large bowl filled with ice water and let cool, stirring occasionally, until chilled, 20 to 30 minutes. — Kate Merker And Taylor Murray, Country Living, "Gingerbread Eggnog," 11 Dec. 2018 Let cool slightly to thicken, then transfer to a resealable bag and cut off one corner to make a small hole. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Eggnog Mousse Snowmen," 29 Nov. 2018 Let cool slightly before serving, or cool completely before storing. — Charlotte Druckman, sacbee, "In a churn of events, salted butter is back | The Sacramento Bee," 8 May 2018 Let cool a few minutes, then take egg cups out of muffin pan to cool on a rack. — Anna Thomas Bates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Egg cups make an easy grab-and-go lunch," 21 Feb. 2018 Drain well and let cool before peeling and cutting the eggs in half lengthwise, reserving the yolks. — Alysha Witwicki, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What to bring? These side dishes are always welcome at a summer picnic," 29 June 2018 Transfer to a wire rack and let cool before slicing. — Steven Satterfield, Country Living, "Buttermilk Cornbread," 1 Feb. 2011 Let cool slightly, then transfer oil and spice mixture to a bowl. — Jonah Miller, WSJ, "Throw a Summer Party the Effortless Spanish Way," 6 July 2018 Let cool completely, cover with plastic or store airtight, and store at room temperature. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit, "The 10 Baking Questions People Ask Me Literally All the Time, Answered," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cool.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cool

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1968, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cool

Adjective

Middle English col, going back to Old English cōl, going back to West Germanic *kōlu- (whence also Middle Dutch coele "moderately cold" and, from a variant *kōlja-, Old High German kuoli), lengthened-grade derivative from the base of *kalan- "to be cold" — more at cold entry 1

Verb

Middle English colen, going back to Old English cōlian, verbal derivative from Germanic *kōl- cool entry 1 (whence also Old Saxon colon "to become cool," Old High German kuolēn)

Noun

Middle English cole, derivative of col cool entry 1

Adverb

derivative of cool entry 1

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Statistics for cool

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Time Traveler for cool

The first known use of cool was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for cool

cool

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of cool

(Entry 1 of 3)

: somewhat cold : not warm or hot

: made of a light, thin material that helps you stay cool

: able to think and act in a calm way : not affected by strong feelings

cool

verb

English Language Learners Definition of cool (Entry 2 of 3)

: to make (someone or something) cool

: to become cool : to lose heat or warmth

: to become less strong or intense especially in emotion

cool

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of cool (Entry 3 of 3)

informal : in a calm manner : in a way that does not seem unusual or excited

See the full definition for cool in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cool

adjective

\ ˈkül

cooler; coolest

Kids Definition of cool

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : somewhat cold : not warm a cool day a cool room

2 : not letting or keeping in heat cool clothes

3 : calm entry 3 sense 2 She is cool in a crisis.

4 : not interested or friendly: He was cool to my idea.

5 : fashionable, stylish, or attractive in a way that is widely approved of

6 : very good excellent

cool

verb

cooled; cooling

Kids Definition of cool (Entry 2 of 3)

: to make or become less warm

cool

noun

Kids Definition of cool (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a time or place that is not warm the cool of the evening

2 : a calm state of mind Keep your cool.

cool

intransitive verb

Legal Definition of cool

: to lose passion : become calm —sometimes used with off or down the time elapsing…is such that a reasonable man thus provoked would have cooled— W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.