Synonyms of cool

cool 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkül 

1

as in distant

having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others

the locals were cool towards outsiders

the schoolmaster's cool manner did not encourage chitchat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distant
• detached
• cold
• dry
• reserved
• aloof
• remote
• withdrawn
• frosty
• silent
• antisocial
• standoffish
• professional
• hard
• timid
• offish
• clinical
• unsociable
• shy
• asocial
• unbending
• unclubbable
• standoff
• buttoned-up
• cold-eyed
• reclusive
• introverted
• dispassionate
• indifferent
• unsocial
• recessive
• unconcerned
• misanthropic
• apathetic
• disinterested
• impersonal
• uninterested
• indrawn
• taciturn
• reticent
• diffident
• incurious
• nongregarious
• uncommunicative
• cliquey
• cliquish
• clubbish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warm
• social
• friendly
• cordial
• sociable
• convivial
• outgoing
• gregarious
• companionable
• expansive
• extroverted
• boon
• talkative
• communicative
• hospitable
• gracious
• garrulous
• clubby
• affable
• genial
• extraverted
• folksy
• clubable
• amiable
• clubbable
• congenial
• agreeable
• kindly
• neighborly

2

as in calm

free from emotional or mental agitation

in a crisis keep a cool head, even if no one else is

Synonyms & Similar Words

• calm
• serene
• peaceful
• composed
• collected
• tranquil
• smooth
• possessed
• undisturbed
• at peace
• unruffled
• placid
• confident
• unperturbed
• together
• sedate
• steady
• limpid
• untroubled
• centered
• unworried
• recollected
• level
• relaxed
• mellow
• unshaken
• self-possessed
• relieved
• coolheaded
• nonchalant
• equal
• self-composed
• well-balanced
• unflappable
• imperturbable
• detached
• equable
• easygoing
• breezy
• carefree
• unshakable
• aloof
• laid-back
• even
• dispassionate
• affable
• even-keeled
• well-adjusted
• unconcerned
• nerveless
• sober
• tranquillized
• phlegmatic
• disciplined
• assured
• tranquilized
• indifferent
• self-controlled
• impassive
• self-contained
• loosey-goosey
• self-assured
• stolid
• happy-go-lucky
• bovine
• devil-may-care

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upset
• disturbed
• anxious
• agitated
• perturbed
• bothered
• uneasy
• worried
• distressed
• nervous
• unsettled
• restless
• unstrung
• flustered
• tense
• unquiet
• unglued
• unhinged
• jumpy
• unstable
• jittery
• discomposed
• uptight
• skittish
• high-strung

3

as in cold

having a low or subnormal temperature

a cool basement that would be perfect for storing wine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cold
• freezing
• icy
• chilly
• chill
• frigid
• arctic
• cooled
• frosty
• ice-cold
• polar
• coolish
• chilled
• wintery
• bitter
• glacial
• brisk
• wintry
• shivery
• numbing
• gelid
• nippy
• snappy
• coldish
• crisp
• bone-chilling
• algid
• nipping
• cryogenic
• subzero
• penetrating
• ultracold
• iced
• frozen
• keen
• piercing
• cutting
• bracing
• sharp
• rigorous
• refrigerated
• subfreezing
• invigorating
• frosted
• unheated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hot
• warming
• boiling
• burning
• fiery
• fervent
• sweltering
• sizzling
• igneous
• sultry
• ardent
• molten
• seething
• red-hot
• warm
• broiling
• torrid
• lukewarm
• fervid
• white-hot
• glowing
• searing
• blazing
• tepid
• piping hot
• roasting
• heated
• warmed
• scorching
• overheated
• scalding
• reheated
• snug
• tropical
• ultrahot
• feverish
• steamy
• inflamed
• toasty
• muggy
• equatorial
• flushed
• summery
• enflamed
• canicular

4

as in icy

lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling

directed a cool glance at the student who was sneaking into class late

Synonyms & Similar Words

• icy
• chilly
• cold
• frigid
• chill
• brittle
• arctic
• reserved
• frozen
• clammy
• frosty
• detached
• unfriendly
• glacial
• wintry
• wintery
• antiseptic
• coldish
• uncordial
• cold-blooded
• unsympathetic
• gelid
• hard-eyed
• pitiless
• cold-eyed
• heartless
• uncaring
• unemotional
• aloof
• soulless
• unresponsive
• uninterested
• dispassionate
• undemonstrative
• bloodless
• indifferent
• unenthusiastic
• unfeeling
• coldhearted
• impersonal
• standoffish
• apathetic
• antisocial
• offish
• hard-hearted
• kindless
• unsociable
• unsocial

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warm
• happy
• friendly
• sympathetic
• cordial
• genial
• kind
• hearty
• compassionate
• emotional
• expressive
• warm-blooded
• warmhearted
• eager
• enthusiastic
• demonstrative
• passionate
• kindhearted

5

as in stylish

slang being in the latest or current fashion

had a cool new hairstyle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stylish
• fashionable
• happening
• chic
• exclusive
• smart
• elegant
• fresh
• supercool
• trendy
• hip
• swell
• swish
• handsome
• sophisticated
• modish
• voguish
• in
• graceful
• snappy
• sharp
• a la mode
• funky
• edgy
• au courant
• haute
• spiffy
• classy
• sassy
• swanky
• dapper
• saucy
• tasteful
• posh
• haut
• downtown
• à la mode
• kicky
• rakish
• dashing
• swank
• dressy
• ritzy
• majestic
• natty
• understated
• spruce
• flashy
• flossy
• refined
• doggish
• nobby
• chichi
• soignée
• soigné
• doggy
• ultracool
• gallant
• foppish
• dandyish
• ultrasophisticated
• stately
• ultrachic
• ultrasmart
• ultrahip
• dudish
• ultraposh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• out
• uncool
• outmoded
• unfashionable
• unattractive
• tacky
• cheesy
• dowdy
• unbecoming
• trashy
• tasteless
• inelegant
• unstylish
• unchic
• sloppy
• messy
• unkempt
• styleless
• slovenly
• untidy
• wrinkled
• graceless
• unmodish
• shabby
• disheveled
• rumpled
• unhandsome
• dishevelled
• sleazy
• frowzy
• frowsy
• mussy

6

as in downtown

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• downtown
• stylish
• now
• hip
• fashionable
• smart
• groovy
• chic
• trendy
• with-it
• hep
• in
• mod
• def
• turned-on
• au courant
• sharp
• modish
• voguish
• snappy
• a la mode
• à la mode

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncool
• out
• unhip
• nerdy
• geeky
• unfashionable
• untrendy
• nerdish
• dowdy
• unstylish
• styleless

7

as in awesome

slang of the very best kind

a really cool garage band that's starting to get some attention from the music industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awesome
• wonderful
• lovely
• great
• excellent
• beautiful
• terrific
• fantastic
• fabulous
• superb
• hot
• marvelous
• marvellous
• stellar
• fine
• neat
• prime
• classic
• famous
• brave
• heavenly
• slick
• quality
• groovy
• good
• nifty
• splendid
• sensational
• divine
• dandy
• top
• cracking
• fab
• superior
• exceptional
• swell
• keen
• topping
• noble
• grand
• dope
• too much
• high-class
• peachy
• top-notch
• first-class
• superlative
• par excellence
• banner
• mean
• immense
• choice
• first-rate
• radical
• decent
• prize
• out of this world
• top-shelf
• sterling
• dynamite
• gone
• fantabulous
• righteous
• unsurpassed
• better
• out-of-sight
• crackerjack
• number one
• capital
• boss
• special
• No. 1
• supernal
• blue-ribbon
• wizard
• bumper
• okay
• frontline
• blue-chip
• primo
• down
• bully
• topflight
• hype
• peachy keen
• brag
• tip-top
• gangbuster
• adequate
• gangbusters
• first-string
• acceptable
• bang-up
• A-OK
• phat
• corking
• top-of-the-line
• bonny
• A1
• jim-dandy
• bonnie
• satisfactory
• boffo
• gilt-edge
• tolerable
• OK
• fancy
• classical
• traditional
• five-star
• prizewinning
• numero uno
• all right
• four-star
• passable
• gilt-edged
• premium
• select
• high-grade
• standard
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• awful
• terrible
• pathetic
• vile
• lousy
• rotten
• atrocious
• bad
• wretched
• unsatisfactory
• inferior
• substandard
• execrable
• low-grade
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

cool

2 of 3

verb

1

as in to chill

to cause to lose heat

cool your drinks in the icy mountain stream

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chill
• freeze
• refrigerate
• frost
• ice
• supercool
• ventilate
• quick-freeze
• air-condition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warm
• heat
• steam
• toast
• bake
• boil
• temper
• microwave
• broil
• heat-treat

2

as in to hush

to become still and orderly

after the recess, tempers had cooled, and we could have a civil, rational discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hush
• calm (down)
• settle (down)
• quiet
• cool it
• relax
• chill out
• dry up
• pipe down
• unwind
• tranquillize
• tranquilize
• zone out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut up
• carry on
• act up
• show off
• fool around
• horse around
• clown (around)
• monkey (around)
• skylark

cool

3 of 3

noun

1

as in detachment

the absence of emotional involvement

the judge's customary cool stood her in good stead during the sensational trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

• detachment
• calm
• coldness
• reasonableness
• quiet
• objectivity
• reasonability
• calmness
• dispassion
• dispassionateness
• serenity
• quietness
• sereneness
• fairness
• restfulness
• balance
• disinterest
• impartiality
• reserve
• tranquillity
• rationality
• peace
• equitability
• nonpartisanship
• disinterestedness
• peacefulness
• unbiasedness
• equitableness
• quietude
• indifference
• tranquility
• tranquilness
• unresponsiveness
• placidity
• rationalness
• apathy
• undemonstrativeness
• repose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• emotionalism
• favor
• bias
• prejudice
• partisanship
• partiality
• one-sidedness

2

as in fashionableness

the quality or state of being fashionable

a designer who was the arbiter of cool

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fashionableness
• hip
• coolness
• elegance
• style
• hipness
• stylishness
• trendiness
• taste
• chic
• hipsterism
• tastefulness
• majesty
• modishness
• swank
• class
• voguishness
• smartness
• artfulness
• grace
• gracefulness
• dapperness
• sophistication
• swankiness
• polish
• chicness
• poshness
• stateliness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tackiness
• grotesqueness
• unfashionableness
• gaudiness
• tastelessness
• flashiness
• garishness
• tawdriness
• gracelessness

3

as in composure

evenness of emotions or temper

despite the flood of insults, the fledgling stand-up comic never lost his cool

Synonyms & Similar Words

• composure
• coolness
• calmness
• tranquillity
• equilibrium
• serenity
• equanimity
• collectedness
• sangfroid
• imperturbability
• tranquilness
• countenance
• tranquility
• aplomb
• self-possession
• confidence
• placidity
• composedness
• assurance
• repose
• self-composedness
• poise
• self-confidence
• self-assurance
• indifference
• self-assuredness
• unconcern
• laid-backness
• impassivity
• numbness
• phlegm
• easygoingness
• detachment
• self-trust
• apathy
• insensibility

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agitation
• concern
• care
• perturbation
• worry
• anxiety
• alarm
• uneasiness
• apprehension
• disquiet
• solicitude
• anxiousness
• discomposure
• nervousness
• excitability
• disturbance
• apprehensiveness
• alarum
• excitableness

Try This Instead

For

Try This

a cool head

a rational head

a clear head

a fair-minded head

a steady head

a peaceful head

a cool breeze

a refreshing breeze

a crisp breeze

a fresh breeze

a brisk breeze

a lovely breeze

a cool drink

a chilled drink

an iced drink

an icy drink

a fresh-tasting drink

a frosty drink

a cool place

a popular place

a groovy place

an awesome place

a neat place

an interesting place

cool colors

pretty colors

unique colors

sick colors

funky colors

stylish colors

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of cool

Adjective

On opening night, the soprano’s top notes blazed out with a cool gleam, but her lower and middle registers lacked the heft needed to punch through Strauss’s dense textures. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

Wear it on chilly mornings or evenings, or throw it over your shoulders when a cool breeze hits. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2025

Verb

Trump’s admiration for the region has managed to cool tensions that have been boiling with Disney for a number of years. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Events will include a bitcoin market featuring local vendors with items including small-batch hot sauce and handcrafted bitters, plus a DJ from 1-3 p.m., and live music from Toilet Spaghetti at 7 p.m. Dogs are welcome to join — in fact, there will be splash pools just for the pups to cool off. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025

Noun

Eventually, some of that air cools, forms precipitation and then a combination of wind and precipitation rushes to the ground in a downdraft. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025

Greer kept his cool and noted the 10% tariff is on the low end. —Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing cool

• blow one's cool
• cool it
• cool one's heels
• lose one's cool