cool 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkül How to pronounce cool (audio)
Definition of coolnext
1
as in stylish
slang being in the latest or current fashion had a cool new hairstyle

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2
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

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3
as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation in a crisis keep a cool head, even if no one else is

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4
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature a cool basement that would be perfect for storing wine

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5
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling directed a cool glance at the student who was sneaking into class late

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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

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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

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cool

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to chill
to cause to lose heat cool your drinks in the icy mountain stream

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2
as in to hush
to become still and orderly after the recess, tempers had cooled, and we could have a civil, rational discussion

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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

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2
as in fashionableness
the quality or state of being fashionable a designer who was the arbiter of cool

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3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper despite the flood of insults, the fledgling stand-up comic never lost his cool

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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

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

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
There are also nods to Audemars Piguet’s more recent history, like a cool Marshall jukebox packed with songs from AP collaborators—Mark Ronson, John Mayer, and Raye, among them—which parlays the strong music seam that runs though the new AP House. —Ming Liu, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026 If someone is overwhelmed by the heat, swiftly relocate them to a cool, shaded location. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
There are cooling centers across the region that are open to the public. —Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 The Nuggets ratcheted up their defensive intensity and were rewarded as Los Angeles finally cooled down. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Oprah completed her casual-cool 'fit with aviator sunglasses in a similar brown hue. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026 But a brief cool-down is on the way. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cool
  1. stylish
  2. distant
  3. calm
  4. cold
  5. icy
  6. downtown
  7. awesome
  8. chill
Adjective
  • Restaurant by day, stylish club by night.
    — Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The technical goals don’t interfere with the home’s stylish design, though.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of stylish
Adjective
  • This property is crucial for generating quantum entanglement between distant nodes, another cornerstone of future quantum communication networks, as per the release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
  • His short responses feel distant, and his hesitation comes across as disinterest.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • August 23 – September 22 Clear agreements start with calm words.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • On top of the pool and beach, where the sea is calm and swimmable, the resort has an incredibly engaging kids program called Nature Discovery, where older kids can go sailing and mountain biking while younger kids can learn to sail and take kitesurfing lessons.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of calm
Adjective
  • The spa Shaded by almost 100 palm trees and other endemic plants, the Ojo de Agua (watering hole) spa has hot and cold dipping pools.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Texas has gone cold at the worst time.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Twenty-year-old Maksym Yevsiukov makes his way up the icy sidewalk under the drone nets.
    — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Ever since Pluto was infamously stripped of its planetary status two decades ago, debate has raged for years over the distant icy world – half the size of the United States – and just what sort of cosmic body it should be classified as.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • What space the library does have is overwhelmingly downtown.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Shawn Gao, manager of the downtown Chinese restaurant Magnolia's agreed.
    — Samantha Chaney, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of downtown
Adjective
  • View this post on Instagram Palou, who finished second, described the pass by Kirkwood as awesome.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • So it's been a really awesome thing.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of awesome
Verb
  • Senior Homes Editor Betsy Watson's grandmother always had a batch of this cool and refreshing salad chilling in the fridge for guests.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The lawsuit, whose defendants include the Department of Homeland Security, argues that federal officers' use of such munitions is a retaliation against protesters that chills their First Amendment rights.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of chill

Phrases Containing cool

Browse Nearby Words

cook (up)
cool
cool (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Cool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cool. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of cool for Spanish Speakers

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