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
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Recent Examples of cool
Adjective
The Ideal Time to Plant Bulbs In most areas, the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is sometime between mid-September and late October—when the weather is cool but the ground hasn’t frozen just yet.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
23 Aug. 2026 How to Prevent Bermuda Grass Prevention is key to avoiding the risks of Bermuda grass in cool-season climates.—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
23 Aug. 2026
Verb
The effects feel nearly instantaneous thanks to the addition of cica, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter, which results in a calm, cooling sensation.—
Mary Honkus,
Glamour,
18 Aug. 2026 The investment will target the rapidly growing HVAC market, including the production of advanced cooling solutions for AI data centers.—
Sean Conlon,justina Lee,sarah Min,
CNBC,
18 Aug. 2026
Noun
Tom Hill / Getty Images The band's rock-chic cool played well on the nascent MTV crowd and their videos, featuring models in short skirts emerging from one of Gibbons' custom roadsters, became a mainstay.—CBS News,
18 Aug. 2026 The park is centered around the historic pool Knoebels Crystal Pool, which provides the perfect cool down on a hot summer day with 900,000 gallons of mountain stream water.—
Carly Caramanna,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
Across the Solar System, eruptions can send ash over continents, throw sulfur compounds hundreds of miles above a moon, or propel nitrogen gas and ice through the frozen crust of a distant world.
—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Aug. 2026
This El Niño is a reminder that climate risks are no longer distant.
By contrast, cool blondes feature ash, pearl, or icy tones for a cleaner, brighter look.
—
Emma-Jade Stoddart,
Glamour,
20 Aug. 2026
The cancellation of this upgrade has implications for some of the European Space Agency’s science missions, including a probe to Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus.
The kitchen’s electrical oven roasts them during the daytime; they’re then chilled and served cold, with hot sauce, a ramekin of mayonnaise, and a pile of pickle spears.
—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2026
Drain shrimp, discarding cooking liquid, and transfer Shrimp to a bowl of ice water; let stand until completely chilled, about 5 minutes.
—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
20 Aug. 2026
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