cool

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cool" is correct and usable in written English, particularly in informal contexts.
It can be used to express approval, admiration, or agreement with something. Example: "That new movie was really cool; I loved the special effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Sport

Music

Tech

Business

Opinion

Film

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Drain and leave to cool.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"On pouring day there were over 50 people involved pouring the chocolate into the mould and it took 10 hours to do, then a further three days to cool off".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Calculating that two in three of 1.4 million "frontline" care workers in the UK are paid below the living wage, it reckons it would cost a cool £2.3bn a year to bring them all up to that level – not counting £142m needed to end non-compliance with the minimum wage.

The Guardian

Can we entice you with our Cool Blue Ocean Acidifier with a topping of crumbled reef coral?

The Guardian

It is cool here!" Bobo, who speaks six languages, was a charming guide with a great sense of humour – and great fashion sense, mixing a batik suit with a modern gilet, or zebra-print shorts with a trendy T-shirt.

The Guardian - Travel

Opening the bags of infant leaves of rocket and oak-leaf lettuce, basil and nasturtium, hot mustard and cool butterhead is a daily ritual that is as much a part of my life as a morning espresso.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then there's the local craft beer on show at Craft Pride, and the laid back cool of dining rooms such as Tyson Cole's award-winning Japanese-inspired Uchi.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Geiz ist geil" (stinginess is cool) has caught on ever since the electronics chain Saturn started saying it 10 years ago.

The Guardian

"I've just been singing my baby nursery rhymes, so I don't really know what's cool and what's not".

The Guardian

Once in, I sat on the grass, hoping, hoping, hoping to get a touch of the ball, as it sped over the so, so smooth field, my feet occasionally, rakishly, rebelliously, resting over the rope to show just how cool I was.

The Guardian - Sport

Make your own rhubarb cordial – put 400-450g rhubarb, 250g sugar, the juice of half a lemon and 500ml water in a pan, bring to a boil, simmer until the rhubarb has disintegrated, then cool, strain through muslin into a jug (it will take a few hours to drip through) and refrigerate; or buy a decent commercial brand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's demeanor, "cool" suggests calmness and composure. This can be used to describe how someone handles a stressful situation effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "cool" in formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for words like "excellent" or "remarkable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "cool" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something as fashionable, calm, or moderately cold. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and commonly used. It can also function as a verb meaning 'to become colder'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Music

5%

Tech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cool" is a versatile word primarily used as an adjective to describe something as fashionable, calm, or slightly cold. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it's suitable for informal communication, more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or professional writing. Predominantly featured in news and media sources, "cool" expresses approval, admiration, or a state of being, solidifying its role in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Awesome

Informal synonym for something impressive or admirable.

Fantastic

Similar to awesome but can also emphasize imaginative or creative qualities.

Excellent

Direct synonym expressing a high degree of approval.

Outstanding

Suggests something is exceptionally good or better than average.

Impressive

Focuses on the quality of eliciting admiration or respect.

Terrific

Another synonym for something very good or pleasing.

Great

Common synonym expressing general approval or satisfaction.

Wonderful

Synonym emphasizing the pleasant or delightful nature of something.

Exceptional

Highlights something that is outside the norm and particularly good.

Remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthy or exceptional quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "cool" in a sentence?

You can use "cool" to describe something that is fashionable, calm, or slightly cold. For example: "That new jacket is really cool", "He remained cool under pressure", or "The cool breeze was refreshing".

What can I say instead of "cool"?

You can use alternatives like "excellent", "awesome", or "great" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "cool" in formal writing?

While "cool" is widely understood, it's generally better to use more formal synonyms like "excellent", "remarkable", or "impressive" in academic or professional contexts.

What does it mean when someone describes a person as "cool"?

When describing a person, "cool" typically suggests that they are calm, composed, and perhaps fashionable or popular. It implies a sense of effortless competence and self-assuredness.