cool 1 of 3

1
2
3
4
5
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

7

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

cool

3 of 3

noun

1
2
3

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

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
Spotty rain which moved into the area before the parade helped keep things cooler this year as thousands gathered along the parade route. David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025 Advertisement Regulate Your Temperature In the case of extreme heat, there are ways to stay cool that don’t involve AC or electric fans. Simmone Shah, Time, 24 June 2025
Verb
The park has taken the lower corner, stage left, fenced it off, and invited visitors to cool their heels. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025 With temperatures set to skyrocket into triple digits Tuesday, here are some ways to cool down in the Boston area. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 24 June 2025
Noun
Ramaphosa, an anti-apartheid activist turned business tycoon, kept his cool. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 23 May 2025 The UConn superstar brought an endless cool to this spring’s March Madness — the 40-point masterclass only supplanted by her title game dominance. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cool
Adjective
  • These roomy parachute cargo pants are functional but stylish and—especially for Tokyo, a city known for being a street fashion hub.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2025
  • One of the biggest struggles of dressing for the summer heat is finding a pair of sandals that are both stylish and comfortable.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Growing up, my family would occasionally pile into the car and drive to distant locations for very brief vacations.
    Jason Foodman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • The Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions are not some distant diplomatic dispute.
    Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something wonderfully timeless about pushing off from shore in a canoe as the paddles dip quietly through calm water as dragonflies skim by.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • What if your government made the calm, rational decision that your country must cease to exist, then set about shutting it down in stages, as the currency became worthless and the population scrambled to emigrate?
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Strategic commenting can lead to five-figure contracts without cold pitching.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • First, a quick refresher on freezing: The super cold temp—freezers should be set to zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower—stalls the growth of bacteria and other organisms.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The downtown Mexican restaurant, which opened on Blake Street in 1999 and moved to 1745 Wazee St. in 2022, is getting a slightly different name and menu.
    Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
  • The Shark Tank had to be downtown, so downtown had to get bigger.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Grow by leaving awesome LinkedIn comments Identify your strongest beliefs Your commenting strategy needs a theme.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • This role was really an opportunity to foreground your sexuality and have this awesome love story with Gabin (Ivan du Pontavice).
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • This pasta salad makes full use of summer produce and is best served chilled.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • The deli restaurant and its nearby Scoop Deck, a place people went for ice cream, have been go-to destinations for people refueling after a jaunt around the harbor, to meet friends, hold business meetings or a place to chill.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 28 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cool. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cool

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!