mildly cool

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mildly cool" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat cool in temperature or in a figurative sense, such as a person's demeanor or style. Example: "The evening breeze was mildly cool, making it a perfect time for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you serve the wines cold, they may come across as harsh and near-tasteless, but if they are mildly cool, even verging on tepid, the flavors come alive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's been a tough charge to escape, particularly for those running in the thousands of dollars; as such, it's probably no surprise that the market has seen, to put it mildly, a cooling off.

TechCrunch

Regardless, the show felt like a secret, and the mood of the room was mellow, cool, mildly interested.

The New York Times - Arts

As dusk fell on a cool, mildly humid late summer's eve, an orange horizon glowed above the Hudson.

The New York Times

In my experience, there are two successful types of Grindr profile to craft for successful responses: a sexy, mysterious profile where you come off as a cool, mildly apathetic person who doesn't look as desperate as you actually are in real life, or the more direct approach.

Vice

Dr. Mayer said side effects could be reduced by cooling only mildly, to about 90 to 93 degrees.

The New York Times

In contrast to our results, Zweifler et al. showed that the additional administration of MgSO4 improved the comfort in surface cooling of mildly sedated spontaneously breathing subjects [ 37].

Critical Care

Poor fertility, sandy and mildly saline soil, and a cool, dry, sunny atmosphere during the ripening stage are distinctive characteristics of the area that affect both grain quality and grain 2AP content (Yoshihashi et al. 2004).

Rice

In today's mildly squiggy but kind of cool news, we learn that researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created tiny robots that walk when current is applied to their bio-based muscular engines.

TechCrunch

When he hands me the gun, I'm mildly surprised that instead of cool metal, my hand grips cardboard.

Vice

My boyfriend and I snagged a comfortable table, and watched the gathering scene -- people with hoodies and walkie-talkies looking mildly important, and scenesters with cool jackets and all manner of digital toys.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mildly cool" to describe something that possesses a slight degree of coolness, whether in temperature or style. It is best used when the subject is not intensely cold or exceptionally stylish, but rather subtly so.

Common error

Avoid using "mildly cool" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be required. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "slightly below ambient temperature" or "moderately stylish depending on the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mildly cool" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something possesses coolness, whether in temperature or style. As Ludwig suggests, it's considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mildly cool" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a moderate degree of coolness, whether in temperature or style. Ludwig indicates that it is most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts, but also appears in Science and Wiki sources. While appropriate for general use, more precise language may be preferred in formal or academic writing. It's important to consider the context and audience when deciding whether "mildly cool" is the most effective choice of words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly stylish

Mirrors the original phrase but with a direct shift to stylishness.

gently cool

Focuses on the mildness of the coolness, suggesting a soft and pleasant sensation.

slightly chilly

Indicates a marginal degree of coolness, focusing on temperature.

faintly cold

Highlights the subtlety of the coolness, suggesting a barely perceptible chill.

moderately temperate

Emphasizes a balanced and moderate temperature, less extreme than cold.

slightly breezy

Implies the coolness comes from a gentle wind, shifting the context.

somewhat stylish

Shifts the meaning towards attractiveness or fashion, rather than temperature.

somewhat refreshing

Highlights the invigorating quality of the coolness, rather than just the temperature.

subtly fashionable

Implies a refined and understated sense of style, moving away from temperature.

reasonably trendy

Similar to "mildly stylish" but more focused on current trends.

FAQs

What does "mildly cool" mean?

The phrase "mildly cool" suggests something that is slightly cold or moderately stylish. It implies a moderate degree of either temperature or trendiness.

How can I use "mildly cool" in a sentence?

You can use "mildly cool" to describe the temperature of a room (e.g. "The room was "mildly cool" after the rain") or someone's attitude or style (e.g. "He gave a "mildly cool" response to the suggestion").

What are some synonyms for "mildly cool"?

Synonyms for "mildly cool" include phrases like "slightly chilly" (for temperature) or "somewhat stylish" (for style). The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "mildly cool" appropriate for formal writing?

While "mildly cool" is generally acceptable, it might be better to use more precise language in formal contexts. For temperature, consider "slightly below ambient" and for style, perhaps "moderately fashionable".