having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the locals were cool towards outsidersthe schoolmaster's cool manner did not encourage chitchat
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
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
Store potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent sprouting and maintain their freshness.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
19 July 2026 While some higher-elevation areas may still have snow early in the season, spring is a great time to enjoy cooler hiking temperatures and watch the forest come back to life.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2026
Verb
In Pompeii and Herculaneum, around all of Naples, a lot of the buildings are made from these black hard igneous rocks, cooled lava.—ArsTechnica,
21 July 2026 It’s caused by Legionella bacteria, which grow in warm water and can spread in such places as hot tubs and building cooling equipment.—ABC News,
21 July 2026
Noun
Returning now to one of the defining settings of his life and career, Hilfiger looks to transform The Plaza into the backdrop for a new expression of classic American cool.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026 For the first time, the city is deploying 15 mobile cool vans staffed with nurses and paramedics.—
Aziza Shuler,
CBS News,
30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
That microscopic shift alters the laser beams ever so slightly, producing a tiny flicker of light that alerts scientists to a distant cosmic event.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
25 July 2026
For more than a decade, including when his party controlled both houses of Congress and the White House, the high school football star in his distant youth has been unable to move the ball a single yard.
With the support of Fernandez, Ellis found a sports psychologist who provided her with ways to maintain a calm headspace and positive outlook, even through a UCL injury in her thumb that arose just four games into this year’s campaign.
—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
25 July 2026
If only Israel and its American supporters would let Hamas and other genocidal, antisemitic groups do their thing, there’d be peace and calm.
—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 July 2026
While Io itself is far too hostile to support life, microwave instruments can also probe beneath icy surfaces.
—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
24 July 2026
Page, an imposing figure in his double-breasted suit, can add a seductive lilt to his booming bass or an icy edge that provides a peek into his embittered soul.
One hundred would be awesome, though, so that my children can get all the publishing.
—
Ernesto Lechner,
Los Angeles Times,
21 July 2026
James was a Fanatics Fest participant and was reunited with the paper, which was at the Celebrity Mint table, completing an awesome full-circle moment.
Store it in your hotel minibar fridge to chill for maximum effect.
—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
19 July 2026
The final additions of cheddar, nutmeg, and red pepper round out the dish’s depth of flavor before—as with my mom’s grits cakes—they’re chilled in a casserole dish overnight before being cut into triangular slices and broiled until golden.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
16 July 2026
Copy Citation
