cooler

American  

[koo-ler] / ˈku lər /

noun

1. a container or apparatus, as an insulated chest, in which something may be cooled or kept cool.

2. anything that cools or makes cool; refrigerant.

3. an air conditioner.

4. a tall drink, consisting of liquor, soda, and a fruit garnish.

5. water cooler.

6. Slang. the cooler, jail.

   He was in the cooler for three months for petty theft.

7. Ice Hockey Slang. penalty box.

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cooler British  

/ ˈkuːlə /

noun

1. a container, vessel, or apparatus for cooling, such as a heat exchanger

2. a slang word for prison

3. a drink consisting of wine, fruit juice, and carbonated water

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Etymology

Origin of cooler

First recorded in 1565–75; cool + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Core prices excluding volatile food and energy costs rose 1.9% on a year earlier, slightly cooler than the 2% increase seen in February.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"Spring is slightly behind due to cooler temperatures," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

These findings help explain why large fish are often found in cooler waters, at higher latitudes, or deeper in the ocean.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

Although autumn is prime Santa Ana season, it’s not unusual for the area to also get the winds in the spring during the transition from cooler to warmer weather, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

I want to ask Khalid—I want to ask him, “Why did you choose a dragonfly? Why not something cooler, like a lion or a panther or a wolf?”

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

Related Words

• container