"Cold" is a low temperature that is unpleasant; "cool" is pleasantly fresh or (in slang) great.
Low temperature, generally unpleasant or uncomfortable. Also: a common illness (a cold).
It is freezing cold outside. Wear a coat.
Hace un frio helado afuera. Ponte un abrigo.
She caught a cold and has been sneezing all day.
Ella agarro un resfriado y ha estado estornudando todo el dia.
The coffee went cold while I was on the phone.
El cafe se enfrio mientras estaba en el telefono.
Pleasantly fresh, not cold. In modern slang: great, impressive, fashionable.
It is a cool evening — perfect for a walk.
Es una tarde fresca. Perfecta para caminar.
That is a really cool idea. Let us try it.
Es una idea muy buena. Vamosla a probar.
Let the soup cool down before serving it.
Deja que la sopa se enfrie antes de servirla.
Common mistake
Saying "the weather is cold" when it is pleasantly fresh but not uncomfortable — "cool" would be correct. "Cold" implies a temperature that is unpleasant or requires a coat. "Cool" is comfortably fresh. Another error: using "cold" for the slang meaning. "That is very cold!" does not mean it is great — for that you need "That is very cool!"
Trick to remember it
Temperature scale: hot - warm - cool - cold - freezing. "Cool" sits between warm and cold — the comfortable zone. "Cold" starts to be unpleasant. For slang approval, "cool" is the only option — "cold" does not exist as an expression of approval in modern English.
Quick rule
Cold = cold (uncomfortable). Cool = pleasantly fresh or (slang) great.
Did you know?
"Cool" as slang for approval comes from African-American jazz music of the 1940s. Musicians used "cool" to describe the relaxed, sophisticated style of modern jazz at the time. It then spread to all of culture and today is arguably the most universal expression of approval in modern English — "That's cool" is understood in every English-speaking country.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
It is not _____ enough to wear a jacket — just a light sweater will do.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
That design is really _____. Where did you find the inspiration?
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Cold = cold (uncomfortable). Cool = pleasantly fresh or (slang) great.
Saying "the weather is cold" when it is pleasantly fresh but not uncomfortable — "cool" would be correct. "Cold" implies a temperature that is unpleasant or requires a coat. "Cool" is comfortably fresh. Another error: using "cold" for the slang meaning. "That is very cold!" does not mean it is great — for that you need "That is very cool!"
Temperature scale: hot - warm - cool - cold - freezing. "Cool" sits between warm and cold — the comfortable zone. "Cold" starts to be unpleasant. For slang approval, "cool" is the only option — "cold" does not exist as an expression of approval in modern English.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy