cool

cool · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    (adjective) Of a fairly low temperature; not warm or hot.

  2. 2.

    (adjective, informal) Fashionable, attractive, or impressive.

  3. 3.

    (adjective, informal) Acceptable; fine.

  4. 4.

    (adjective) Calm and composed; not showing emotion.

  5. 5.

    (verb) To become or make less hot.

  6. 6.

    (verb) To become less intense or angry.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cool it — calm down; stop what you're doing
  • •
    cool off — to become less hot or less angry
  • •
    cool as a cucumber — very calm and composed
  • •
    play it cool — to act calmly and casually
  • •
    lose one's cool — to become angry or upset
  • •
    cool customer — a calm, unflappable person

Related words

Antonyms: excited, hot, uncool, warm
See also: calm, cold, stylish, warm
Synonyms: calm, chilly, cold, fashionable

Etymology

From Old English cōl ("cool, cold, tranquil"), from Proto-Germanic kōlaz, related to cold. The slang sense of "fashionable" or "excellent" emerged in African American vernacular in the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in jazz culture.