cooler
cooler
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "cooler" is /ˈkuːlər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ˈkuː:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/uː/: Close back rounded vowel (as in "moon")
lər:
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant
/ər/: R-colored schwa (as in "butter")
Word Form Variations
Cooler" primarily functions as a noun and also as the comparative adjective form of "cool."
Noun Forms:
Singular: cooler (e.g., "Grab a drink from the cooler.")
Plural: coolers (e.g., "We brought two coolers to the picnic.")
Adjective Forms (Comparative):
Comparative: cooler (e.g., "The weather is much cooler today.")
Positive (from which it's derived): cool (e.g., "It's a cool day.")
Superlative (from which it's derived): coolest (e.g., "That's the coolest outfit.")
Related Forms:
Verb: cool (e.g., "Let the soup cool.")
Noun: coolness (e.g., "The coolness of the evening.")
Adverb: coolly (e.g., "She responded coolly to the suggestion.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun Definitions
A container or appliance designed to keep things, especially food and drinks, cold.
Synonyms: Ice chest, ice box, chiller, refrigerator (portable), esky (Australia/NZ)
Antonyms: Warmer, heater, oven (appliances for heating)
An informal term for a prison or jail.
Synonyms: Jail, prison, lockup, brig, penitentiary (slang)
Antonyms: Freedom, liberty, outside (colloquial)
A refreshing drink, often alcoholic.
Synonyms: Refreshment, beverage, spritzer, cocktail (specific type)
Antonyms: Hot drink, warmer (beverage type)
Adjective Definitions (as the comparative of "cool")
Having a lower temperature than something else, or a lower temperature than considered warm or hot.
Synonyms: Chiller, fresher, brisker, colder (less intense)
Antonyms: Warmer, hotter, steamier
(Informal) More fashionable, impressive, or calm than something or someone else.
Synonyms: More stylish, trendier, calmer, more composed, more impressive
Antonyms: Less fashionable, dorkier, more agitated, less impressive
Examples of Use
Books
"He reached into the cooler for another ice-cold soda, the heat of the desert oppressive even at dusk." (Common in adventure or travel novels)
"The city's rapid development had a paradoxically cooler effect on its previously overheated housing market." (From an economic analysis book)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Scientists predict that next summer will be significantly cooler due to changing ocean currents." (The New York Times)
"Tech enthusiasts are buzzing about the new smartphone's innovative cooler system, preventing overheating during intense gaming." (The Verge)
"For a refreshing summer treat, try mixing various fruits for a delightful fruit cooler." (Food Network Magazine)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In Jaws (1975), the shark hunters load their catch into a large cooler on the boat.
Television: "Bring out the cooler! It's time for the tailgate party!" (Heard in sports programming or party-themed shows)
Music: A song might describe a person's demeanor as "getting cooler," implying they're becoming more calm or collected.
Video Games: In survival games, players might need to craft or find a cooler to preserve perishable food items.
General Public Discourse
"Can you grab me a drink from the cooler?" (Everyday request at a picnic or BBQ)
"The weather's finally getting a lot cooler; I can sleep better now." (Casual conversation about temperature)
"He spent a night in the cooler after being arrested for public disturbance." (Informal reference to jail)
"That new band is so much cooler than anything else out right now." (Expressing approval of something trendy)
10 Quotes Using Cooler
"The weather's getting much cooler, signaling the arrival of autumn." (Original)
"He always kept a small cooler filled with drinks in his workshop." (Original)
"After the argument, everyone needed some time for tempers to get cooler." (Original, playing on "cooler heads prevail")
"That new song is definitely cooler than anything else on the radio right now." (Original, reflecting informal popular opinion)
"A night in the cooler often gives one time to reflect on poor decisions." (Original, using the slang term for jail)
"The mountain air was a welcome cooler after the heat of the valley." (Original)
"Don't forget to pack the picnic cooler with ice and all the beverages." (Original)
"Some prefer the intense heat, while others seek out a cooler climate." (Original)
"She tried to act cooler and more detached, but her smile betrayed her true feelings." (Original)
"The best ideas often emerge from a period of quiet reflection, in a cooler frame of mind." (Original)
Etymology
The word "cooler" comes from the verb "cool," and the suffix "-er," which is used to form nouns indicating a person or thing that performs an action, or adjectives in the comparative degree. So, a "cooler" is essentially something that cools or more cool.
The verb "cool" itself has Old English roots in "cōlian," meaning "to lose heat."
The first known use of "cooler" in English, appearing around the late 14th century, referred to a vessel or container for cooling liquids (like wine). By the mid-18th century, it gained its common modern sense of an appliance or container specifically designed to keep things cold, such as for picnics. The comparative adjective form ("more cool") has been present in English even longer.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cooler
Cooler heads prevail: A phrase meaning that calm and rational thinking eventually wins out over anger or rashness.
Example: "After the heated debate, we hoped cooler heads prevail during the negotiations."
Throw in the cooler: (Slang) To put someone in jail.
Example: "He got caught speeding and spent a night in the cooler."
Cooler of emotions: (Original) A metaphorical container that helps to calm intense feelings.
Example: "She needed a moment of solitude, a cooler of emotions, after the chaotic meeting."
Portable cooler: A type of insulated container designed for keeping food and drinks cold while traveling or picnicking.
Example: "Don't forget to pack the portable cooler for the beach."
Water cooler talk: Informal conversations among colleagues, typically around a water cooler.
Example: "Most of the office gossip happens during water cooler talk."
Chill out: (Using a synonym, meaning to relax or calm down).
Example: "You need to chill out; don't let it get to you."
Take a chill pill: (Informal idiom) To calm down and relax.
Example: "He was getting too stressed, so I told him to take a chill pill."
Keep one's cool: (Meaning to remain calm and composed in a difficult situation).
Example: "Despite the pressure, she managed to keep her cool."
Icy reception: (An idiom describing a very cold or unfriendly welcome).
Example: "His unexpected visit was met with an icy reception."
A breath of fresh air: (An idiom for something new and refreshing, akin to a cool breeze).
Example: "Her innovative ideas were a breath of fresh air for the stagnant project."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cooler from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
