First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1cool
adjective \ˈkül\
: somewhat cold : not warm or hot
: made of a light, thin material that helps you stay cool
: able to think and act in a calm way : not affected by strong feelings
Full Definition of COOL
1
: moderately cold : lacking in warmth
2
a : marked by steady dispassionate calmness and self-control <a cool and calculating administrator — Current Biography> b : lacking ardor or friendliness <a cool impersonal manner> c of jazz : marked by restrained emotion and the frequent use of counterpoint d : free from tensions or violence <we used to fight, but we're cool now>
3
—used as an intensive <a cool million dollars>
4
: marked by deliberate effrontery or lack of due respect or discretion <a cool reply>
5
: facilitating or suggesting relief from heat <a cool dress>
6
a of a color : producing an impression of being cool; specifically : of a hue in the range violet through blue to green b of a musical tone : relatively lacking in timbre or resonance
7
slang a : very good : excellent; also : all right b : fashionable, hip <not happy with the new shoes … because they were not cool — Celestine Sibley>
— cool·ish \ˈkü-lish\ adjective
— cool·ly also cooly \ˈkü(l)-lē\ adverb
— cool·ness \ˈkül-nəs\ noun
See cool defined for English-language learners
See cool defined for kids
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Origin of COOL
Middle English col, from Old English cōl; akin to Old High German kuoli cool, Old English ceald cold — more at cold
Related to COOL
- Synonyms
- aloof, antisocial, asocial, buttoned-up, cold, cold-eyed, detached, distant, dry, frosty, offish, remote, standoff, standoffish, unbending, unclubbable, unsociable
Synonym Discussion of COOL
cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable, nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement. cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness <kept a cool head>. composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition <the composed pianist gave a flawless concert>. collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis <the nurse stayed calm and collected>. unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement <harried but unruffled>. imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation <the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling>. nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern <a nonchalant driver>.
2cool
verb
: to make (someone or something) cool
: to become cool : to lose heat or warmth
: to become less strong or intense especially in emotion
Full Definition of COOL
intransitive verb
1
: to become cool : lose heat or warmth <placed the pie in the window to cool> —sometimes used with off or down
2
: to lose ardor or passion <his anger cooled>
transitive verb
1
: to make cool : impart a feeling of coolness to <cooled the room with a fan> —often used with off or down <a swim cooled us off a little>
2
a : to moderate the heat, excitement, or force of : calm <cooled her growing anger> b : to slow or lessen the growth or activity of —usually used with off or down <wants to cool off the economy without freezing it — Newsweek>
— cool it
: to calm down : go easy <the word went out to the young to cool it — W. M. Young>
— cool one's heels
: to wait or be kept waiting for a long time especially from or as if from disdain or discourtesy
See cool defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COOL
before 12th century
Related to COOL
- Synonyms
- chill, refrigerate
3cool
noun
Definition of COOL
1
: a cool time, place, or situation <the cool of the evening>
2
a : absence of excitement or emotional involvement : detachment <must surrender his fine cool and enter the closed crazy world of suicide — Wilfrid Sheed> b : poise, composure <press questions … seemed to rattle him and he lost his cool — New Republic>
3
: hipness
See cool defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COOL
15th century
Related to COOL
- Synonyms
- coldness, detachment, dispassion, dispassionateness
- Antonyms
- unfashionableness
4cool
adverb
: in a calm manner : in a way that does not seem unusual or excited
Full Definition of COOL
: in a casual and nonchalant manner <play it cool>
See cool defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COOL
1841
COOLNESS Defined for Kids
1cool
adjective \ˈkül\
cool·ercool·est
Definition of COOL for Kids
1
: somewhat cold : not warm <a cool day> <a cool room>
2
: not letting or keeping in heat <cool clothes>
3
: 3calm 2 <She is cool in a crisis.>
4
: not interested or friendly: <He was cool to my idea.>
5
: fashionable, stylish, or attractive in a way that is widely approved of
2cool
verb
cooledcool·ing
Definition of COOL for Kids
: to make or become less warm
3cool
noun
Definition of COOL for Kids
1
: a time or place that is not warm <the cool of the evening>
2
: a calm state of mind <Keep your cool.>
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