Cool vs. Chill — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Cool often connotes an air of calm, composure, and trendiness, while chill describes a relaxed, laid-back attitude or temperature.
Difference Between Cool and Chill
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Cool is frequently associated with an attitude or style that is considered trendy, fashionable, or appealing in a contemporary context. It implies a certain level of detachment or nonchalance, suggesting a composed demeanor that is admired or aspired to. On the other hand, chill can refer to a state of calmness and relaxation, often used to describe a person's easy-going nature or a situation devoid of stress or tension.
In terms of temperature, cool is used to describe a moderately low temperature that is generally pleasant or refreshing. It's the kind of temperature that might require a light sweater. Whereas, chill often implies a colder, slightly uncomfortable sensation that might make you shiver or think about turning on the heat.
When it comes to social situations, being cool might involve maintaining a certain level of mystery or emotional distance, keeping up with trends, or displaying confidence without overt enthusiasm. Chill, in this context, suggests an approachable, stress-free attitude where comfort and ease are prioritized over appearances or social standings.
In language and expressions, saying "That's cool" can acknowledge something as good, acceptable, or impressive. While saying "Take a chill pill" or "Let's chill" uses chill as a verb or noun to suggest calming down or relaxing, often with no specific plans or agenda.
Cool can also denote a kind of cultural currency, where what is considered cool is often dictated by social norms, media, and popular culture, making it somewhat elusive and ever-changing. Chill, as a cultural concept, emphasizes a laid-back lifestyle, valuing personal comfort and ease over societal expectations or pressures.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Connotation
Trendiness, composure
Relaxation, calmness
Temperature
Pleasantly moderate
Slightly cold, uncomfortable
Social Implication
Detached confidence, style
Approachable, stress-free attitude
Usage in Expressions
Acknowledgment of approval ("That's cool")
Suggestion to relax ("Take a chill pill")
Cultural Significance
Influenced by changing social norms and media
Associated with a laid-back lifestyle, personal comfort
Compare with Definitions
Cool
Calm and composed.
He remained cool under pressure.
Chill
To make something colder.
Chill the drinks before the guests arrive.
Cool
Socially adept.
He's known for being cool in any situation.
Chill
Inducing relaxation.
This music is really chill.
Cool
Fashionably attractive or impressive.
Her cool demeanor at the party made her stand out.
Chill
To relax or take it easy.
Let's just chill and watch a movie.
Cool
Moderately low temperature.
The cool breeze in the evening was refreshing.
Chill
An uncomfortable feeling of coldness.
There's a chill in the air tonight.
Cool
Approval or acceptance.
I think your idea is really cool.
Chill
A relaxed or calm state.
We're just going to have a chill day at home.
Cool
Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold
Fresh, cool water.
A cool autumn evening.
Chill
An unpleasant feeling of coldness in the atmosphere, one's surroundings, or the body
The draughty chill of the castle
There was a chill in the air
Heat exhaustion symptoms include nausea, chills, dizziness and dehydration
Cool
Giving or suggesting relief from heat
A cool breeze.
A cool blouse.
Chill
A metal mould, often cooled, designed to ensure rapid or even cooling of metal during casting.
Cool
Marked by calm self-control
A cool negotiator.
Chill
Make (someone) cold
They were chilled by a sudden wind
Cool
Marked by indifference, disdain, or dislike; unfriendly or unresponsive
A cool greeting.
Was cool to the idea of higher taxes.
Chill
Horrify or frighten (someone)
The city was chilled by the violence
Cool
Of, relating to, or characteristic of colors, such as blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness.
Chill
Calm down and relax
They like to get home, have a bath, and chill out
Cool
Knowledgeable or aware of the latest trends or developments
Spent all his time trying to be cool.
Chill
Chilly
The chill grey dawn
The chill winds of public censure
Cool
Excellent; first-rate
Has a cool sports car.
Had a cool time at the party.
Chill
Very relaxed or easy-going
The island is really chill and laid-back
In general, I am a pretty chill guy
Cool
Acceptable; satisfactory
It's cool if you don't want to talk about it.
Chill
A moderate but penetrating coldness.
Cool
(Slang) Entire; full
Worth a cool million.
Chill
A sensation of coldness, often accompanied by shivering and pallor of the skin.
Cool
(Informal) In a casual manner; nonchalantly
Play it cool.
Chill
A checking or dampening of enthusiasm, spirit, or joy
Bad news that put a chill on the celebration.
Cool
To make less warm.
Chill
A sudden numbing fear or dread.
Cool
To make less ardent, intense, or zealous
Problems that soon cooled my enthusiasm for the project.
Chill
Moderately cold; chilly
A chill wind.
Cool
(Physics) To reduce the molecular or kinetic energy of (an object).
Chill
Not warm and friendly; distant
A chill greeting.
Cool
To become less warm
Took a dip to cool off.
Chill
Discouraging; dispiriting
“Chill penury repressed their noble rage” (Thomas Gray).
Cool
To become calmer
Needed time for tempers to cool.
Chill
(Slang) Calm or relaxed
“As my meditation routine grew more stable...my already laid-back demeanor grew positively chill” (David Gelles).
Cool
A cool place, part, or time
The cool of early morning.
Chill
To affect with or as if with cold.
Cool
The state or quality of being cool.
Chill
To lower in temperature; cool.
Cool
Composure; poise
"Our release marked a victory. The nation had kept its cool" (Moorhead Kennedy).
Chill
To make discouraged; dispirit.
Cool
Having a slightly low temperature; mildly or pleasantly cold.
Chill
(Metallurgy) To harden (a metallic surface) by rapid cooling.
Cool
Allowing or suggesting heat relief.
Linen has made cool and breathable clothing for millennia.
Chill
To be seized with cold.
Cool
Of a color, in the range of violet to green.
If you have a reddish complexion, you should mainly wear cool colors.
Chill
To become cold or set
Jelly that chills quickly.
Cool
Of a person, not showing emotion; calm and in control of oneself.
Chill
(Metallurgy) To become hard by rapid cooling.
Cool
Unenthusiastic, lukewarm, skeptical.
His proposals had a cool reception.
Chill
To calm down or relax. Often used with out.
Cool
Calmly audacious.
In control as always, he came up with a cool plan.
Chill
To pass time idly; loiter.
Cool
Applied facetiously to a sum of money, commonly as if to give emphasis to the largeness of the amount.
Chill
To spend time with someone in a relaxed manner; hang out together.
Cool
(informal) Of a person, knowing what to do and how to behave; considered popular by others.
Chill
A moderate, but uncomfortable and penetrating coldness.
There was a chill in the air.
Cool
(informal) In fashion and fancy, part of or befitting the most leading trends and habits of the in crowd; originally hipster slang.
Chill
A sudden penetrating sense of cold, especially one that causes a brief trembling nerve response through the body; the trembling response itself; often associated with illness: fevers and chills, or susceptibility to illness.
Close the window or you'll catch a chill.
I felt a chill when the wind picked up.
Cool
(informal) Of an action, all right; acceptable; that does not present a problem.
Is it cool if I sleep here tonight?
Chill
An uncomfortable and numbing sense of fear, dread, anxiety, or alarm, often one that is sudden and usually accompanied by a trembling nerve response resembling the body's response to biting cold.
Despite the heat, he felt a chill as he entered the crime scene.
The actor's eerie portrayal sent chills through the audience.
His menacing presence cast a chill over everyone.
Cool
(informal) Very interesting or exciting.
I think astronomy is really cool.
Chill
An iron mould or portion of a mould, serving to cool rapidly, and so to harden, the surface of molten iron brought in contact with it..
Cool
(informal) (followed by with) Able to tolerate; to be fine with.
I'm completely cool with my girlfriend leaving me.
Chill
The hardened part of a casting, such as the tread of a carriage wheel.
Cool
(informal) (of a pair of people) holding no grudge against one another; having no beef.
We're cool, right?
Chill
A lack of warmth and cordiality; unfriendliness.
Cool
(sarcastic) (of an act or situation)'' annoying, irritating.
Chill
Calmness; equanimity.
Cool
A moderate or refreshing state of cold; moderate temperature of the air between hot and cold; coolness.
In the cool of the morning
Chill
A sense of style; trendiness; savoir faire.
Cool
A calm temperament.
Chill
Moderately cold or chilly.
A chill wind was blowing down the street.
Cool
The property of being cool, popular or in fashion.
Chill
Unwelcoming; not cordial.
Arriving late at the wedding, we were met with a chill reception.
Cool
To lose heat, to get colder.
I like to let my tea cool before drinking it so I don't burn my tongue.
Chill
(slang) Calm, relaxed, easygoing.
The teacher is really chill and doesn't care if you use your phone during class.
Paint-your-own ceramics studios are a chill way to express yourself while learning more about your date's right brain.
Cool
To make cooler, less warm.
Chill
(slang) "Cool"; meeting a certain hip standard or garnering the approval of a certain peer group.
That new movie was chill, man.
Cool
To become less intense, e.g. less amicable or passionate.
Relations cooled between the USA and the USSR after 1980.
Chill
(slang) Okay, not a problem.
Sorry about that. —It's chill.
Cool
To make less intense, e.g. less amicable or passionate.
Chill
(transitive) To lower the temperature of something; to cool.
Chill before serving.
Cool
(transitive) To kill.
Chill
(intransitive) To become cold.
In the wind he chilled quickly.
Cool
Moderately cold; between warm and cold; lacking in warmth; producing or promoting coolness.
Fanned with cool winds.
Chill
To harden a metal surface by sudden cooling.
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.
Chill
To become hard by rapid cooling.
Cool
Not retaining heat; light; as, a cool dress.
Chill
To relax; to lie back.
Chill, man, we've got a whole week to do it; no sense in getting worked up.
The new gym teacher really has to chill or he's gonna blow a gasket.
Cool
Manifesting coldness or dislike; chilling; apathetic; as, a cool manner.
Chill
To "hang", hang out; to spend time with another person or group.
Hey, we should chill this weekend.
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.
Chill
To smoke marijuana.
On Friday night do you wanna chill?
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.
Chill
To discourage, depress.
Censorship chills public discourse.
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.
Chill
A moderate but disagreeable degree of cold; a disagreeable sensation of coolness, accompanied with shivering.
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.
Chill
A sensation of cold with convulsive shaking of the body, pinched face, pale skin, and blue lips, caused by undue cooling of the body or by nervous excitement, or forming the precursor of some constitutional disturbance, as of a fever.
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.
Chill
A check to enthusiasm or warmth of feeling; discouragement; as, a chill comes over an assembly.
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.
Chill
An iron mold or portion of a mold, serving to cool rapidly, and so to harden, the surface of molten iron brought in contact with it.
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.
Chill
The hardened part of a casting, as the tread of a car wheel.
Cool
The quality of being cool;
The cool of early morning
Chill
Moderately cold; tending to cause shivering; chilly; raw.
Noisome winds, and blasting vapors chill.
Cool
Great coolness and composure under strain;
Keep your cool
Chill
Affected by cold.
Cool
Make cool or cooler;
Chill the food
Chill
Characterized by coolness of manner, feeling, etc.; lacking enthusiasm or warmth; formal; distant; as, a chill reception.
Cool
Loose heat;
The air cooled considerably after the thunderstorm
Chill
Discouraging; depressing; dispiriting.
Cool
Lose intensity;
His enthusiasm cooled considerably
Chill
To strike with a chill; to make chilly; to cause to shiver; to affect with cold.
When winter chilled the day.
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
Chill
To check enthusiasm or warmth of feeling of; to depress; to discourage.
Every thought on God chills the gayety of his spirits.
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
Chill
To produce, by sudden cooling, a change of crystallization at or near the surface of, so as to increase the hardness; said of cast iron.
Cool
(color) inducing the impression of coolness; used especially of greens and blues and violets;
Cool greens and blues and violets
Chill
To become surface-hardened by sudden cooling while solidifying; as, some kinds of cast iron chill to a greater depth than others.
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
Chill
Coldness due to a cold environment
Cool
Used of a number or sum and meaning without exaggeration or qualification;
A cool million bucks
Chill
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
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
Chill
A sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
Chill
A sudden numbing dread
Chill
Depress or discourage;
The news of the city's surrender chilled the soldiers
Chill
Make cool or cooler;
Chill the food
Chill
Loose heat;
The air cooled considerably after the thunderstorm
Chill
Uncomfortably cool;
A chill wind
Chilly weather
Common Curiosities
Is being chill always a positive trait?
Generally, yes, as it implies a laid-back and stress-free attitude, though it might be seen as too laid-back in some contexts.
Can foods or drinks be described as cool or chill?
Yes, cool might describe the pleasant temperature of a dish, while chill usually refers to the act of making something cold or the state of being cold.
How do attitudes of cool and chill affect social interactions?
A cool attitude might be more guarded or reserved, whereas a chill attitude is more open and inviting.
What does it mean to be cool in a social context?
Being cool often means being perceived as fashionable, confident, and emotionally composed.
Can cool and chill be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap in meaning, especially in casual conversation, they often convey different nuances.
How do cool and chill relate to trends?
Cool often relates directly to what's currently trendy, whereas chill suggests a disinterest in trends in favor of comfort.
Can a person be both cool and chill?
Yes, someone can be seen as cool for their style or composure and chill for their relaxed demeanor.
Can weather be described as chill?
Yes, chill weather implies a certain coldness that might require warmer clothing.
Do cool and chill have different emotional connotations?
Yes, cool often implies a certain level of detachment, whereas chill suggests openness and relaxation.
Does age affect perceptions of cool and chill?
Perceptions of what is cool can change with age and societal norms, while chill attitudes may be more universally recognized.
How do cool and chill influence fashion?
Cool often influences fashion through trends and style icons, whereas chill fashion prioritizes comfort and ease.
How does one "chill" in the context of relaxation?
To chill in this context means to relax or engage in leisure activities without stress.
Is coolness culturally specific?
Yes, what is considered cool can vary greatly across different cultures and social groups.
Can a place be described as cool or chill?
Yes, a place can be cool due to its aesthetic or vibe, and chill for its relaxed atmosphere.
Are there any negative connotations to being too cool or too chill?
Being too cool can sometimes be perceived as aloof or unapproachable, while being too chill might be seen as lacking ambition or drive.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Inpatriate vs. Expatriate
Next Comparison
Ownership vs. StewardshipAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
