VocabDictionary

cool

/kuːl/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Of or at a fairly low temperature, or fashionably attractive.

Example Sentences:
  • Stay cool in the summer heat.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “cool”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

From Old English *cōl* "cold, cool," from Proto-Germanic *kōlaz* (source also of Middle Dutch *coel*, Dutch *koel*, Old High German *kuoli*, German *kühl* "cool"), from Proto-Indo-European root *gel-* "cold; to freeze." The sense of "calm, unexcited" is attested from the 16th century. The slang sense of "fashionable, excellent, admirable" emerged in jazz culture around the 1930s-40s, gaining widespread popularity in the 1950s.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Remember 'cool' as the opposite of 'hot' for temperature, and then think of someone who is 'cool' as being calm and collected, or stylish and impressive.

Common Collocations & Phrases
Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “cool

1. What is the meaning of “cool” in English?

In English, cool (adjective) is defined as: “Of or at a fairly low temperature, or fashionably attractive.”.

2. How do you use “cool” in a sentence?

Stay cool in the summer heat.

3. What are English synonyms of “cool”?

Common synonyms include:chilly,calm,composed,stylish,excellent,awesome

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “cool”?

From Old English *cōl* "cold, cool," from Proto-Germanic *kōlaz* (source also of Middle Dutch *coel*, Dutch *koel*, Old High German *kuoli*, German *kühl* "cool"), from Proto-Indo-European root *gel-* "cold; to freeze." The sense of "calm, unexcited" is attested from the 16th century. The slang sense of "fashionable, excellent, admirable" emerged in jazz culture around the 1930s-40s, gaining widespread popularity in the 1950s.