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
In total, the program will make $40 million available to help people install heat pumps that cool and heat homes, electric stoves, water heaters and other appliances.—ABC News,
2 Nov. 2026 Dry and cool week ahead After the rain exits Tuesday, North Texas will be dry and cool.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2026
Verb
As the hot universe expanded and cooled, nuclear reactions produced hydrogen, helium, deuterium, and small amounts of lithium.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2026 Once night falls in the Utah desert, though, the temperatures cool off, most tourists head back to their campsites and motor lodges, and the stars shine through that clear desert sky.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Nov. 2026
Noun
Monday night’s childish spectacle saw Jackson marching into the midfield, losing his cool, and throwing a bare-knuckle punch at Chubb.—
Alejandro Avila Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2026 Fog forms when moisture in the air cools and condenses near the ground, making late-summer weather especially noticeable to anyone watching for clues about the season ahead.—
Tricia Goss,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
Another fascinating possibility nuclear-electric thrusters open is missions into interstellar space and the distant Oort cloud within a single lifetime.
After starting in the middle of the night, candidates get about four hours of sleep over the next five days and complete tasks like carrying logs, launching boats into crashing waves, lying in cold ocean water and running around 200 miles.
—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
5 Nov. 2026
Doing so before the plant is fully dormant can encourage new growth, which will be vulnerable to cold damage when cooler weather arrives.
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