Cool vs. Awesome: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 29, 2023
"Cool" is often used to describe something that is moderately impressive or in style, while "Awesome" suggests something is extremely impressive or awe-inspiring. Both are colloquial terms for expressing approval or admiration.
Key Differences
The term "Cool" is more understated in its expression of approval or admiration. It's often used to describe things that are fashionable, stylish, or impressive to a moderate degree. On the other hand, "Awesome" is more emphatic and indicates something that is extremely impressive or invokes a sense of awe.
"Cool" also has multiple meanings and can describe temperature, composure, or even approval. "Awesome," however, is more focused on the notion of something being extraordinary, often to the point of being overwhelming or awe-inspiring.
In colloquial American English, "Cool" is often used as an all-purpose term for approval, but it's less intense than "Awesome." For instance, a stylish outfit might be described as "cool," whereas a breathtaking natural landscape might more appropriately be called "awesome."
"Cool" can also function as an adverb, adjective, or even a one-word response to news or information ("That's cool"). "Awesome," while generally used as an adjective, is not as versatile in its grammatical functions.
The usage of "Cool" and "Awesome" can also be generational. "Cool" has been in use for several decades and is considered timeless by many. "Awesome," while also not new, might be perceived as more contemporary and is often used to express enthusiasm more explicitly.
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Comparison Chart
Intensity
Moderate
High
Grammatical Usage
Adjective, Adverb
Mainly Adjective
Meaning Range
Broader (e.g., temperature, composure)
Narrower (e.g., awe-inspiring)
Generational Usage
Timeless
More Contemporary
Contextual Use
Fashion, Approval
Awe, Amazement
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Cool and Awesome Definitions
Cool
Impressive in a laid-back way.
That skateboard trick was really cool.
Awesome
Extremely impressive.
Her performance was awesome.
Cool
Fashionable or trendy.
That new gadget is cool.
Awesome
Very good; excellent.
This pizza is awesome.
Cool
Moderate in temperature.
The weather is cool today.
Awesome
Overwhelming in a positive way.
The concert was an awesome experience.
Cool
Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold
Fresh, cool water.
A cool autumn evening.
Awesome
Used to express strong approval.
You got the job? That's awesome!
Cool
Giving or suggesting relief from heat
A cool breeze.
A cool blouse.
Awesome
Inspiring awe.
The Grand Canyon is awesome.
Cool
Marked by calm self-control
A cool negotiator.
Awesome
Inspiring awe
An awesome thunderstorm.
Cool
Marked by indifference, disdain, or dislike; unfriendly or unresponsive
A cool greeting.
Was cool to the idea of higher taxes.
Awesome
Expressing awe
Stood in awesome silence before the ancient ruins.
Cool
Of, relating to, or characteristic of colors, such as blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness.
Awesome
(Slang) Remarkable; outstanding
"a totally awesome arcade game" (Los Angeles Times).
Cool
Knowledgeable or aware of the latest trends or developments
Spent all his time trying to be cool.
Awesome
(dated) Causing awe or terror; inspiring wonder or excitement.
The waterfall in the middle of the rainforest was an awesome sight.
The tsunami was awesome in its destructive power.
Cool
Excellent; first-rate
Has a cool sports car.
Had a cool time at the party.
Awesome
(colloquial) Excellent, exciting, remarkable.
That was awesome!
Awesome, dude!
Cool
Acceptable; satisfactory
It's cool if you don't want to talk about it.
Awesome
(slang) nodot=a: the quality, state, or essence of being awesome.
Pure awesome
Made of awesome
Cool
(Slang) Entire; full
Worth a cool million.
Awesome
Causing awe; appalling; awful; as, an awesome sight.
Cool
(Informal) In a casual manner; nonchalantly
Play it cool.
Awesome
Expressive of awe or terror.
An awesome glance up at the auld castle.
Cool
To make less warm.
Awesome
Inspiring awe or admiration or wonder;
New York is an amazing city
The Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring sight
The awesome complexity of the universe
This sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath
Westminster Hall's awing majesty, so vast, so high, so silent
Cool
To make less ardent, intense, or zealous
Problems that soon cooled my enthusiasm for the project.
Cool
(Physics) To reduce the molecular or kinetic energy of (an object).
Cool
To become less warm
Took a dip to cool off.
Cool
To become calmer
Needed time for tempers to cool.
Cool
A cool place, part, or time
The cool of early morning.
Cool
The state or quality of being cool.
Cool
Composure; poise
"Our release marked a victory. The nation had kept its cool" (Moorhead Kennedy).
Cool
Having a slightly low temperature; mildly or pleasantly cold.
Cool
Allowing or suggesting heat relief.
Linen has made cool and breathable clothing for millennia.
Cool
Of a color, in the range of violet to green.
If you have a reddish complexion, you should mainly wear cool colors.
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
Calm and composed.
He remained cool under pressure.
Cool
Indicating moderate approval.
The movie was cool, not amazing.
FAQs
What does Awesome mean?
"Awesome" implies something is extremely impressive or awe-inspiring.
Is Cool timeless in usage?
Yes, "Cool" has been in use for several decades and is often considered timeless.
What does Cool mean?
"Cool" can mean impressive, fashionable, or calm, among other things.
Is Cool less intense than Awesome?
Yes, "Cool" is generally less intense than "Awesome."
Can Cool be used as an adverb?
Yes, "Cool" can function as an adverb, as in "He handled it coolly."
Is Awesome a contemporary term?
While not new, "Awesome" is often seen as more contemporary.
Is Awesome used as an adverb?
Rarely. It's mainly used as an adjective.
Can Cool describe temperature?
Yes, "Cool" can refer to moderate temperature.
Can Awesome describe temperature?
No, "Awesome" is not used to describe temperature.
Can I say "cool" to show I agree?
Yes, "Cool" can be a one-word response to show agreement or approval.
Does Awesome imply composure?
No, "Awesome" is not used to describe composure.
Can Cool imply composure?
Yes, "Cool" can imply calmness or composure.
Is Cool used globally?
Yes, "Cool" is widely understood and used in many languages.
Can I say "awesome" to show I agree?
While possible, "Awesome" is generally more emphatic and might not be suitable for simple agreement.
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.
