Cooler vs. Cool: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 25, 2023
Cooler can refer to a portable container to keep items cold or describe someone or something more cool, in terms of temperature or trendiness. Cool can be a state of low temperature or a slang describing something trendy or calm.
Key Differences
The term "cooler" and "cool" have varied applications and implications in English, serving different functions within sentences. A cooler is a noun and primarily denotes a portable container designed to keep items cool or cold, usually with the help of ice or refrigerant packs. It is widely used to store food and beverages during outings to maintain their freshness and prevent spoilage. In a different context, "cooler" can also be used as a comparative adjective to describe something that is more cool in terms of temperature or style compared to another object or situation.
"Cool," conversely, is a versatile word and can act as an adjective, a noun, or a verb. As an adjective, "cool" describes a relatively low temperature or a state of being stylish or acceptable. It can reflect approval or admiration, often used informally to express that something is impressive or agreeable. For instance, being cool-headed implies having a calm and composed demeanor, while a cool breeze is one that is refreshingly chilly.
The utilization of "cooler" and "cool" extends to metaphorical expressions and informal language. "Cooler" as a comparative adjective implies a higher degree of coolness, either in temperature or in being trendy, whereas "cool" may signify a moderate level of the same attributes. Their usage is contingent on context, as the meaning changes based on whether the discussion revolves around temperature, demeanor, or trendiness.
"Cool" also serves as a noun to represent a calm and composed state or a relatively low temperature, and as a verb, it means to decrease in temperature. For example, to cool down means to become less hot, or to relax after being upset. It has a multifaceted role in English, covering various situations and conditions where the temperature or the level of composure is a focal point.
In conclusion, "cooler" is mainly a noun denoting a container used for keeping items cold or can be a comparative adjective, and "cool" is a versatile word that can be a noun, a verb, or an adjective, describing temperature, composure, or trendiness.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun (mainly), Adjective (comparatively)
Adjective, Noun, Verb
Meaning
A container to keep things cold; more cool in comparison
Low temperature; stylish; to become less hot
Contextual Application
Describes objects or comparison between temperatures
Describes temperature, demeanor, approval, or state of being
Temperature
More cool in comparative terms
Relatively low temperature
Trendiness
More trendy in comparison
Stylish or acceptable
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Cooler and Cool Definitions
Cooler
Comparative form of cool; more cool.
The mountain air is cooler than the air in the city.
Cool
Being calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.
She remained cool under pressure.
Cooler
A device or substance used to absorb heat.
The car's cooler needs to be checked for a leak.
Cool
To lower in temperature or excitement.
Allow the cake to cool before icing it.
Cooler
A prison or detention area.
The suspect was kept in the cooler overnight.
Cool
Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold
Fresh, cool water.
A cool autumn evening.
Cooler
Informal term for a cool period of time.
The evening brought a cooler, and it was pleasant to sit outside.
Cool
Giving or suggesting relief from heat
A cool breeze.
A cool blouse.
Cooler
A device, container, or room that cools or keeps cool.
Cool
Marked by calm self-control
A cool negotiator.
Cooler
A cold drink, usually carbonated, fruit-flavored, and containing wine or other alcoholic ingredients. Also called wine cooler.
Cool
Marked by indifference, disdain, or dislike; unfriendly or unresponsive
A cool greeting.
Was cool to the idea of higher taxes.
Cooler
(Slang) A jail.
Cool
Of, relating to, or characteristic of colors, such as blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness.
Cooler
Anything which cools.
Cool
Knowledgeable or aware of the latest trends or developments
Spent all his time trying to be cool.
Cooler
An insulated bin or box used with ice or freezer packs to keep food or beverages cold while picnicking or camping.
Cool
Excellent; first-rate
Has a cool sports car.
Had a cool time at the party.
Cooler
A device for refrigerating dead bodies in a morgue.
Cool
Acceptable; satisfactory
It's cool if you don't want to talk about it.
Cooler
A type of drink made with alcohol, especially wine, mixed with fruit juice.
They served wine coolers in the afternoon.
Cool
(Slang) Entire; full
Worth a cool million.
Cooler
Samalamig
Cool
(Informal) In a casual manner; nonchalantly
Play it cool.
Cooler
A prison.
Cool
To make less warm.
Cooler
A bouncer or doorman.
Cool
To make less ardent, intense, or zealous
Problems that soon cooled my enthusiasm for the project.
Cooler
A cold deck.
Cool
(Physics) To reduce the molecular or kinetic energy of (an object).
Cooler
That which cools, or abates heat or excitement.
If acid things were used only as coolers, they would not be so proper in this case.
Cool
To become less warm
Took a dip to cool off.
Cooler
Anything in or by which liquids or other things are cooled, as an ice chest, a vessel for ice water, etc.
Cool
To become calmer
Needed time for tempers to cool.
Cooler
An alcoholic beverage containing liquor or wine plus a carbonated beverage, usually served with ice.
Cool
A cool place, part, or time
The cool of early morning.
Cooler
Jail; - usually used in the form the cooler.
Cool
The state or quality of being cool.
Cooler
An air conditioner.
Cool
Composure; poise
"Our release marked a victory. The nation had kept its cool" (Moorhead Kennedy).
Cooler
A refrigerator for cooling liquids
Cool
Having a slightly low temperature; mildly or pleasantly cold.
Cooler
An iced drink especially white wine and fruit juice
Cool
Allowing or suggesting heat relief.
Linen has made cool and breathable clothing for millennia.
Cooler
A cell for violent prisoners
Cool
Of a color, in the range of violet to green.
If you have a reddish complexion, you should mainly wear cool colors.
Cooler
A portable container for keeping items cold.
We packed our drinks in the cooler before heading to the beach.
Cool
Of a person, not showing emotion; calm and in control of oneself.
Cool
Unenthusiastic, lukewarm, skeptical.
His proposals had a cool reception.
Cool
Calmly audacious.
In control as always, he came up with a cool plan.
Cool
Applied facetiously to a sum of money, commonly as if to give emphasis to the largeness of the amount.
Cool
(informal) Of a person, knowing what to do and how to behave; considered popular by others.
Cool
(informal) In fashion and fancy, part of or befitting the most leading trends and habits of the in crowd; originally hipster slang.
Cool
(informal) Of an action, all right; acceptable; that does not present a problem.
Is it cool if I sleep here tonight?
Cool
(informal) Very interesting or exciting.
I think astronomy is really cool.
Cool
(informal) (followed by with) Able to tolerate; to be fine with.
I'm completely cool with my girlfriend leaving me.
Cool
(informal) (of a pair of people) holding no grudge against one another; having no beef.
We're cool, right?
Cool
(sarcastic) (of an act or situation)'' annoying, irritating.
Cool
A moderate or refreshing state of cold; moderate temperature of the air between hot and cold; coolness.
In the cool of the morning
Cool
A calm temperament.
Cool
The property of being cool, popular or in fashion.
Cool
To lose heat, to get colder.
I like to let my tea cool before drinking it so I don't burn my tongue.
Cool
To make cooler, less warm.
Cool
To become less intense, e.g. less amicable or passionate.
Relations cooled between the USA and the USSR after 1980.
Cool
To make less intense, e.g. less amicable or passionate.
Cool
(transitive) To kill.
Cool
Moderately cold; between warm and cold; lacking in warmth; producing or promoting coolness.
Fanned with cool winds.
Cool
Not ardent, warm, fond, or passionate; not hasty; deliberate; exercising self-control; self-possessed; dispassionate; indifferent; as, a cool lover; a cool debater.
For a patriot, too cool.
Cool
Not retaining heat; light; as, a cool dress.
Cool
Manifesting coldness or dislike; chilling; apathetic; as, a cool manner.
Cool
Quietly impudent; negligent of propriety in matters of minor importance, either ignorantly or willfully; presuming and selfish; audacious; as, cool behavior.
Its cool stare of familiarity was intolerable.
Cool
Applied facetiously, in a vague sense, to a sum of money, commonly as if to give emphasis to the largeness of the amount.
He had lost a cool hundred.
Leaving a cool thousand to Mr. Matthew Pocket.
Cool
A moderate state of cold; coolness; - said of the temperature of the air between hot and cold; as, the cool of the day; the cool of the morning or evening.
Cool
To make cool or cold; to reduce the temperature of; as, ice cools water.
Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue.
Cool
To moderate the heat or excitement of; to allay, as passion of any kind; to calm; to moderate.
We have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts.
Cool
To become less hot; to lose heat.
I saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus,the whilst his iron did on the anvil cool.
Cool
To lose the heat of excitement or passion; to become more moderate.
I will not give myself liberty to think, lest I should cool.
Cool
The quality of being cool;
The cool of early morning
Cool
Great coolness and composure under strain;
Keep your cool
Cool
Make cool or cooler;
Chill the food
Cool
Loose heat;
The air cooled considerably after the thunderstorm
Cool
Lose intensity;
His enthusiasm cooled considerably
Cool
Neither warm or very cold; giving relief from heat;
A cool autumn day
A cool room
Cool summer dresses
Cool drinks
A cool breeze
Cool
Marked by calm self-control (especially in trying circumstances); unemotional;
Play it cool
Keep cool
Stayed coolheaded in the crisis
The most nerveless winner in the history of the tournament
Cool
(color) inducing the impression of coolness; used especially of greens and blues and violets;
Cool greens and blues and violets
Cool
Psychologically cool and unenthusiastic; unfriendly or unresponsive or showing dislike;
Relations were cool and polite
A cool reception
Cool to the idea of higher taxes
Cool
Used of a number or sum and meaning without exaggeration or qualification;
A cool million bucks
Cool
Fashionable and attractive at the time; often skilled or socially adept;
He's a cool dude
That's cool
Mary's dress is really cool
It's not cool to arrive at a party too early
Cool
Having a lower than average temperature.
The cool water refreshed me instantly.
Cool
Fashionable or attractive in style.
That new movie is really cool!
Cool
Showing approval or admiration.
I got his cool nod of approval for the project.
FAQs
Can cooler be used as an adjective?
Yes, "cooler" can be used as a comparative adjective, as in "The shade is cooler than the sun."
Is cool only a slang term for stylish?
No, "cool" also refers to a state of low temperature or being calm and composed.
Can cooler refer to a period of time?
Yes, "cooler" can informally refer to a cool period of time.
Is cooler only used to describe temperature?
No, "cooler" can also refer to a container for keeping things cold or a detention area, among other meanings.
Does cool only refer to actual temperature?
No, "cool" can also metaphorically refer to a calm demeanor or state of approval.
Is it correct to use cool to express approval?
Yes, "cool" is often used informally to express approval or admiration.
Is cooler used in cooking terminology?
Not typically, but it can refer to letting food become cooler in temperature after cooking.
Can cool be used as a noun?
Yes, "cool" can be a noun, as in "the cool of the evening."
Is a cooler always portable?
While "cooler" often refers to a portable container, it can also mean any device or substance used to absorb heat.
Can cooler refer to a person?
Informally, it can mean a person who is more calm or composed, but it’s not a standard use.
Can cool refer to a state of mind?
Yes, "cool" can refer to being calm and collected, as in "Keep your cool."
Can the use of cooler and cool interchangeably cause confusion?
Yes, using "cooler" and "cool" interchangeably can lead to misunderstandings due to their varied meanings.
Can cool be used as a verb?
Yes, "cool" can be used as a verb, meaning to decrease in temperature, as in "Let it cool for a while."
Does cooler always refer to something cold?
Mostly, but it can also mean a detention area or a cool period of time in informal terms.
Can cool mean popular?
Yes, "cool" is often used to describe something that is popular or trendy.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
