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

Keep scrolling for more

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

So the Supra’s cooling system is overbuilt, to some degree. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "With the 2020 GR Supra, Toyota Gets In Touch With Its Fun Side," 12 May 2019 Remove from the heat and allow the brine to cool completely. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "This Is the Best Restaurant in America," 10 May 2019 Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely, then decorate with royal icing. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Mother's Day Cookie Bouquet," 6 May 2019 Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely before cutting and serving. — Ashley Rodriguez, Woman's Day, "Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars," 10 Apr. 2019 Let cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes, then use paper to lift cake from pan and cool completely on rack. — Kate Merker, Country Living, "Chocolate-Matcha Swirl Pound Cake," 19 Mar. 2019 Let cool on baking sheets 1-2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks and let cool completely, about 30 minutes. — Adina Steiman, WSJ, "This Holiday Season’s Smartest Cookie," 5 Dec. 2018 Bake bead in the oven according to directions and let cool completely. 5. — Sarah Newell, Seventeen, "11 Ridiculously Awesome DIY Gifts for Your BFFs," 12 Sep. 2018 Turn off the oven and let the meringues cool completely. — Jeanmarie Brownson, chicagotribune.com, "When Eton mess gives you extra yolks, whip them up into ice cream," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Then, microwave it for 6 to 7 minutes, let cool, and dig in. 10. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "12 Microwave Hacks That Will Change Your Cooking Game," 9 May 2019 Let cool for at least 15 minutes, then toss with another 1/3 cup maple syrup before serving. — Ashley Rodriguez, Woman's Day, "A Make-Ahead Waffle Recipe That's Perfect for Mother's Day," 10 Apr. 2019 Transfer ramekins to a wire rack; let cool for 30 minutes, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour or up to overnight. — Kate Merker, Country Living, "Earl Gray Crème Brûlée," 19 Mar. 2019 Sarah Staudinger is banking on her uncanny ability to create cool, collectible accessories with a new line of footwear, launching today. — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "Staud Launches Shoes and We're in Love," 27 Feb. 2019 Pull pan off heat, cover and let cool, about 1 hour. 2. — Leah Eskin, chicagotribune.com, "Re-create Popsicle dreams with fresh strawberries — and powerful boost from freeze-dried version," 11 July 2018 With its combination of creamy and fruity, this treat is like 2018's cool, grown-up version of a Creamsicle. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "This Summer's Biggest Boozy Trend Just Got Its Own Ice Cream Flavor," 10 July 2018 Good News’s pair are the perfect hybrid of office-appropriate and after-work cool. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, "Platform Sneakers Are Just the Boost Your Spring Style Needs," 24 Apr. 2019 There are still plenty of ways to look business appropriate while staying cool in the sweltering city. — Charlotte Chilton, Town & Country, "10 Outfits Every Man Should Wear This Summer," 18 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Let cool completely in pan before cutting into pieces. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Derby Pie Brownies," 29 Apr. 2019 Let cool completely in refrigerator, at least 20 minutes. — Kathleen Squires, WSJ, "Feed Your Head: Foods That Target Depression and Anxiety," 26 July 2018 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

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about cool

Dictionary Entries near cool

Statistics for cool

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for cool

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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.