cooler

American  

[koo-ler] / ˈku lər /

noun

1. a container or apparatus, as an insulated chest, in which something may be cooled or kept cool.

2. anything that cools or makes cool; refrigerant.

3. an air conditioner.

4. a tall drink, consisting of liquor, soda, and a fruit garnish.

5. water cooler.

6. Slang. the cooler, jail.

   He was in the cooler for three months for petty theft.

7. Ice Hockey Slang. penalty box.

---

cooler British  

/ ˈkuːlə /

noun

1. a container, vessel, or apparatus for cooling, such as a heat exchanger

2. a slang word for prison

3. a drink consisting of wine, fruit juice, and carbonated water

---

Etymology

Origin of cooler

First recorded in 1565–75; cool + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Bratz dolls, all lip gloss and heavy lids, were suddenly cooler than Barbie, who looked conservative by comparison.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Further north, however, spring has been a little slower to get off the marked as cooler and wetter weather has held on for longer.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

As ocean temperatures climb, these species are more likely to overheat, which could shrink their habitable range and push them toward cooler regions closer to the poles.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

Although autumn is prime Santa Ana season, it’s not unusual for the area to also get the winds in the spring during the transition from cooler to warmer weather, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Sookie replaced the lid and hefted the cooler onto the counter.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• container