Chilly vs. Cool — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Chilly often refers to an uncomfortably cold feeling, while cool suggests a mild, refreshing coldness.
Difference Between Chilly and Cool
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chilly typically describes a degree of coldness that is mildly uncomfortable or causing a sensation of cold, especially in a way that is not severe but noticeable. It often conveys a feeling of being cold in a way that might require an extra layer of clothing. On the other hand, cool refers to a lower temperature that is actually pleasant or desirable, especially after heat. It is associated with a refreshing or invigorating feeling, such as a cool breeze on a warm day.
While chilly temperatures can make one shiver slightly and seek warmth, cool temperatures are generally more comfortable and can even be invigorating. Coolness often brings relief, especially in contexts where lower temperatures are welcomed, such as on a hot day.
In terms of perception, chilly can have a negative connotation, suggesting an unwelcome degree of coldness. Cool, however, often carries positive associations, implying a comfortable or even trendy quality, beyond just the physical sensation of temperature.
Chilly environments might require adjustments such as wearing warmer clothing or turning up the heat, whereas cool conditions might be sought after for activities like sleeping or exercising, as they can enhance comfort or performance.
The preference for chilly or cool conditions can vary significantly among individuals and contexts. What one person describes as chilly, another might consider merely cool, highlighting the subjective nature of these terms.
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Comparison Chart
Temperature Range
Slightly cold in an uncomfortable way
Pleasantly mild or slightly cold
Connotation
Often negative, implying discomfort
Generally positive, implying refreshment or appeal
Physical Response
May cause shivering or the need for warmer clothes
Often feels refreshing or invigorating
Preferred Context
Less preferred, especially in leisure or inactive states
Preferred in active states or to counteract heat
Subjectivity
Can be more subjective; varies with individual tolerance
Generally agreed upon as pleasant or desirable in context
Compare with Definitions
Chilly
Uncomfortably cold.
The morning air felt chilly, prompting her to grab a sweater.
Cool
Providing relief from warmth.
A cool breeze through the window soothed her sunburned skin.
Chilly
Causing a sensation of cold.
The chilly breeze made him zip up his jacket.
Cool
Pleasantly mild or slightly cold.
The cool water of the lake was refreshing in the summer heat.
Chilly
Slightly cold in an unpleasant way.
The room was chilly after the heater broke down.
Cool
Fashionably attractive.
He had a cool style that set him apart at school.
Chilly
Lacking warmth in a non-physical sense.
His chilly demeanor made others hesitate to approach him.
Cool
Emotionally controlled, calm.
Despite the stress, she remained cool and collected.
Chilly
Requiring additional warmth.
They found the evenings chilly and lit a fire.
Cool
Impressive or trendy.
She plays the guitar, which is really cool.
Chilly
Cool or cold enough to cause discomfort.
Cool
Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold
Fresh, cool water.
A cool autumn evening.
Chilly
Feeling cold, often to the point of shivering.
Cool
Giving or suggesting relief from heat
A cool breeze.
A cool blouse.
Chilly
Unenthusiastic
The movie opened to a chilly reception from the critics.
Cool
Marked by calm self-control
A cool negotiator.
Chilly
Distant and cool; unfriendly
A chilly look.
Cool
Marked by indifference, disdain, or dislike; unfriendly or unresponsive
A cool greeting.
Was cool to the idea of higher taxes.
Chilly
Cold enough to cause discomfort.
Cool
Of, relating to, or characteristic of colors, such as blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness.
Chilly
Feeling uncomfortably cold.
I’m getting rather chilly over here
– could you shut the window please?
Cool
Knowledgeable or aware of the latest trends or developments
Spent all his time trying to be cool.
Chilly
(figuratively) Distant and cool; unfriendly.
She gave me a chilly look when I made the suggestion.
Cool
Excellent; first-rate
Has a cool sports car.
Had a cool time at the party.
Chilly
Senseid|en|chili}}{{alternative spelling of chili.
Cool
Acceptable; satisfactory
It's cool if you don't want to talk about it.
Chilly
Moderately cold; cold and raw or damp so as to cause shivering; causing or feeling a disagreeable sensation of cold, or a shivering.
Cool
(Slang) Entire; full
Worth a cool million.
Chilly
Very hot and finely tapering pepper of special pungency
Cool
(Informal) In a casual manner; nonchalantly
Play it cool.
Chilly
Uncomfortably cool;
A chill wind
Chilly weather
Cool
To make less warm.
Chilly
Not characterized by emotion;
A female form in marble--a chilly but ideal medium for depicting abstract virtues
Cool
To make less ardent, intense, or zealous
Problems that soon cooled my enthusiasm for the project.
Chilly
Lacking warmth of feeling;
A chilly greeting
An unfriendly manner
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
Common Curiosities
How is "cool" often perceived?
Cool is often perceived as pleasantly mild or refreshing, especially after warmth.
Is "chilly" always negative?
While often negative, chilly can be subjective, with some people finding certain chilly conditions tolerable or even pleasant.
What does "chilly" mean?
Chilly describes a sensation of cold that is slightly uncomfortable or unwelcome.
What makes cool temperatures desirable?
Cool temperatures are desirable for their refreshing and invigorating qualities, especially in contrast to heat.
How do cool and chilly differ in comfort?
Chilly often implies discomfort requiring additional warmth, while cool is associated with comfort and relief.
Do chilly and cool have different implications for clothing?
Yes, chilly weather might require warmer clothing, while cool weather might not necessitate such adjustments.
Can "chilly" have a non-physical meaning?
Yes, chilly can describe a lack of warmth in behavior or atmosphere, implying unfriendliness.
What physical responses might chilly temperatures provoke?
Chilly temperatures might cause shivering or the need for warmer clothing.
Can "cool" describe a personality?
Yes, cool can describe someone's calm demeanor or their fashionable, impressive style.
How can one's attitude change the perception of chilly or cool?
Personal tolerance, preference, and even the context (like season or activity) can influence how one perceives chilly or cool temperatures.
Why are cool environments preferred for certain activities?
Cool environments are preferred for activities like sleeping or exercising due to the comfort and performance benefits.
Is there a temperature range that defines chilly and cool?
There's no strict range; these terms are more about perception and context than specific temperatures.
Can weather be described as both chilly and cool?
Yes, but chilly often suggests a slight discomfort due to cold, whereas cool refers to a more pleasant, mild coldness.
Why might someone prefer cool over chilly conditions?
Cool conditions are often more comfortable and can enhance one's mood or performance, whereas chilly can imply an unwelcome coldness.
How subjective are the terms chilly and cool?
The perception of what is chilly or cool can vary widely among individuals and situations.
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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
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
