a touch of cool

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch of cool" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a slight or subtle quality of being stylish or impressive. Example: "The new café has a touch of cool with its vintage decor and indie music playlist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

English borrowings are sometimes seen as adding a touch of cool to the otherwise mundane.

The New York Times

Davis conducted the piece with a touch of cool and exposed its inherent sugariness by flanking it with Stravinsky's Quatre Etudes and Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony.

The Guardian - Music

They cut the sweetness of pink streaking to orange and pale blue, while raw edges to long coats and oversized, almost rugged, knits also added a touch of cool.

The New York Times

The soprano Lielle Berman, apropos the title of the song cycle, sang with a lovely blend of luminous sound and focused tone, and just a touch of cool restraint.

The New York Times - Arts

Battery life is good, recharge time is quick, and the magnetized charging surface adds a touch of cool for good measure.

TechCrunch

So ideally you want a location that has a touch of cool air.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A touch of cool-handed sporting genius.

BBC

"At 17, Steve had more than a touch of the cool sophistication of a Beat poet," Ms. Brennan wrote in an article in Rolling Stone after his death.

The New York Times

For an added touch of cool, I ordered personalized Jones Soda from http://www.jonessoda.com that had a picture of my son on it.

Huffington Post

Grilled octopus and ceci beans, a nice textural contrast, come alive with a touch of hot pepper cooled off with fresh mint.

The New York Times - Food

In a city where a stoop counts as outdoor space, where the touch of cool grass at twilight is so rare it could well be bottled for sale, the popularity of outdoor screenings is a no-brainer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch of cool" to subtly enhance descriptions, avoiding overuse for greater impact. It's most effective when underscoring understated elegance or composure.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch of cool" too frequently in your writing. Overuse diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of cool" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a subtle quality of stylishness, composure, or refreshing moderation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch of cool" is a versatile phrase used to subtly enhance descriptions by adding a hint of stylishness, composure, or refreshing moderation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that while grammatically correct, it's relatively rare and used more often in media and informal contexts. To improve your writing, make a smart usage of this phrase and avoid overusing it to preserve its impact. Consider alternatives like "a hint of coolness" or "a dash of cool" to achieve different shades of meaning. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired tone. The phrase provides a nuanced way to express delicate qualities, making it a valuable tool in both creative and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of coolness

Replaces "touch" with "hint", emphasizing a subtle suggestion rather than a physical sensation.

a dash of cool

Substitutes "touch" with "dash", implying a small amount of stylishness or composure.

a shade of cool

Replaces "touch" with "shade", suggesting a subtle degree of calmness or composure.

a whisper of cool

Substitutes "touch" with "whisper", implying a very faint or subtle quality of being cool.

a subtle air of coolness

Rephrases the idea to emphasize an atmosphere or impression rather than a direct element.

a mild sense of cool

Replaces "touch" with "sense" and adds "mild" to emphasize the understated nature of the cool quality.

a faint trace of cool

Uses "trace" instead of "touch" to suggest minimal presence of cool.

a delicate touch of cool

Adds "delicate" to describe the light and refined manner of the cool element.

a mere touch of cool

Adds "mere" to reduce the emphasis on cool, making it seem even more insignificant.

an understated coolness

Changes the structure to highlight the 'coolness' as being understated.

FAQs

How can I use "a touch of cool" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch of cool" to describe something that has a subtle element of calmness, stylishness, or composure. For example: "The minimalist design added "a touch of cool" to the room."

What phrases are similar to "a touch of cool"?

Similar phrases include "a hint of coolness", "a dash of cool", or "a shade of cool". All convey a subtle quality.

Is it correct to say "a touch of coolness" instead of "a touch of cool"?

While "a touch of cool" is more common, "a touch of coolness" is also grammatically correct and understandable. However, it might sound slightly more formal or emphatic.

In what contexts is "a touch of cool" typically used?

"A touch of cool" can be used in various contexts, including describing a person's demeanor, a design aesthetic, or even a taste or sensation. It is often used in media and informal conversation.