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DictionarycoolLow temperature
adjective / verb / noun / adverb / interjection

cool

KOOL/kuːl/

Somewhat cold rather than warm.

An older man enjoys the cool air beside an open window.

An older man comfortably enjoys cool air at an open window; a clearly readable thermometer showing 18°C anchors the scene to moderately cold, pleasant temperature rather than freezing weather.
Etymology
coolOld Englishmoderately cold, not warm

Old English col already described a temperature between warm and very cold. The selected meaning preserves that moderate degree of coldness rather than implying severe cold.

In context

The Lawrence Garden Farm10:47
this is actually letting in kind of like cool water but not as cold as the water that's in here
How to Make Essential Oils from the Garden | Harvesting & Distilling Lavender

More examples

  • The water feels cool against my skin.
  • Let the soup cool before you taste it.
  • We walk in the cool of the evening.
  • The basement stays cooler than the upstairs rooms.

Forms

cool · cooler · coolest · cools · cooled · cooling

coolness noun — The quality of being moderately cold.

Similar words

chilly
Usually suggests enough cold to cause slight discomfort.
cold
Indicates a lower temperature, often beyond what feels pleasant.