cooling

cooling — adjective

1. (of a drink, breeze, cream, or shower) bringing pleasant relief on a hot day or

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

(of a drink, breeze, cream, or shower) bringing pleasant relief on a hot day or against a hot feeling on the skin, by lowering body temperature or the temperature of the air around you.

Example

Caio sat under the tree and sipped a cooling glass of homemade lemonade.

cooling + drink (drink, glass of, sip)

A cooling breeze from the sea swept through the open windows of the kitchen.

cooling + breeze / wind / draught

Common collocations
  • cooling drink
  • cooling breeze
  • cooling effect
  • cooling gel
  • cooling shower
  • cooling fan
  • wonderfully cooling
Synonyms
  • refreshing

    broader; suggests feeling brighter and renewed, not only cooler

  • chilling

    stronger and colder; can suggest unpleasantly cold rather than pleasantly cool

  • soothing

    stresses calming an irritated feeling, not necessarily lowering temperature

Antonyms
  • warming

    the opposite effect: makes you feel warmer

  • stifling

    describes hot, airless conditions where no cooling relief is possible

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun (attributive). Pairs with words for drinks, weather, body care, and air movement ('drink, breeze, gel, shower, effect'). Different from 'cool', which describes the actual temperature; 'cooling' stresses the action of bringing the temperature down or giving relief.

Common Mistakes

The water in the river was cooling.
The water in the river was cool.' OR ✅ 'The river water had a wonderfully cooling effect on her tired feet.
'cool' describes a state; 'cooling' describes the relief or effect on something hot.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These four words all describe pleasant relief, but each focuses on a different sensation. 'Cooling' picks out a drop in temperature: it works for drinks, breezes, creams, and showers that lower body or air heat. 'Refreshing' is broader and includes feelings of renewed energy and brightness; a refreshing nap need not be cool, only restful. 'Chilling' is stronger and colder, often crossing into unpleasantness ('a chilling wind'); it also has a separate figurative meaning of frightening ('a chilling story'). 'Soothing' targets irritation rather than heat — a soothing voice or soothing music calms tension regardless of temperature. Compare: 'a cooling glass of iced tea' (lowers heat), 'a refreshing walk by the sea' (renews energy), 'a chilling November wind' (uncomfortably cold), 'a soothing lullaby' (calms feelings).

cooling ↗refreshing ↗chilling ↗soothing

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • cooling effect
  • cooling fan
  • have a cooling effect on

Prepositions

  • on (the skin)

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Present participle of the verb 'cool', used as an adjective. The verb 'cool' came from Old English 'colian' meaning 'to grow cold', which is related to Old English 'col' (the adjective 'cool') and to Old Norse and Old High German words with the same root. The adjective use of the participle, in the sense of 'giving the feeling of being cool', has been in steady English use since the late Middle Ages, especially in food, weather, and medical writing.