having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the locals were cool towards outsidersthe schoolmaster's cool manner did not encourage chitchat
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
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
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Recent Examples of cool
Adjective
Ivory has a warm undertone, often of yellow but sometimes of pink or brown, while a dead-white has a cool undertone, lightly inflected with gray or blue.—
Wendy S. Walters,
Architectural Digest,
12 Oct. 2026 Much cooler weather is also expected, with temperatures around 74 degrees Wednesday and 73 degrees Thursday.—Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2026
Verb
From half a mile away, on the Zimbabwe side, the spray cools on my face.—
Charukesi Ramadurai,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Oct. 2026 The ground does not heat up and cool down as fast as the air does.—
Moones Alamooti,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2026
Noun
As the lake’s temperature cools, algae hanging out near the bottom of the lake rise to the top.—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
21 Sep. 2026 Noel also praises Liam’s fashionable cool (Stone Island parka, big sunglasses, tambourine as a fascinator) and how much his frontman persona resonated with fans worldwide.—
Jaeden Pinder,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
From stylish home upgrades and confidence-boosting beauty finds to unforgettable adventures and practical everyday essentials, these thoughtful ideas celebrate girl power in all its forms.
—
Ethan Stone
October 9,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Oct. 2026
Overall, the new airport retains what travelers love about Burbank–small, efficient, and relatively stress-free–while adding more space, amenities, and a stylish upgrade.
An oasis of calm, this colonial low-rise near Connaught Place is one of the city's best bets for location, charm, and style.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Oct. 2026
According to Hall, topical PDRN can still hydrate skin, reduce inflammation and support natural repair processes, helping the complexion appear calmer and more comfortable.
These cans offer awesome sound features like Hi-Res clarity, 50 hours of battery life, a 5-minute fast charge that can give you 4 hours of playback.
—
Carlos Mejia,
PC Magazine,
6 Oct. 2026
Technology is at the heart of facials, especially, from a skin analysis machine and facial sculpting wand to a cryotherapy mask that was positively icy—but also awesome—at -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
But Beth Wilkinson, who represented the network at last week’s hearing, warned that such a delay has the effect of chilling the network’s speech.
—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2026
Employing a dual timeline, Florida author Jennifer McMahon tells a bone-chilling tale about the local knackerman, a person who disposes of dead or dying farm animals, in remote Boone’s Ferry, Vermont.
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