ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cooler

n.
US //ˈkuɫɝ// UK //kˈuːlɐ// cool·er
  1. 1 insulated container (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    an insulated box or bin used with ice to keep food and drinks cold.

    a portable insulated container designed to maintain a low internal temperature for perishables or beverages.

    Example

    We packed the cooler with sandwiches and cold sodas for our trip to the beach.

    Example

    The campers relied on a high-performance cooler to keep their meat and dairy products fresh during the three-day trek through the national park.

    • icebox
    • coolbox
    • chiller
  2. 2 prison (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English

    a slang word for a prison or a jail cell.

    a slang term for a place of incarceration or a solitary confinement cell.

    Example

    The thief spent a few nights in the cooler after he was caught.

    Example

    In many classic crime films, the protagonist is threatened with a long stretch in the cooler if they refuse to cooperate with the authorities.

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  1. 3 alcoholic drink (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a cold drink made by mixing alcohol with fruit juice or soda.

    a chilled beverage consisting of wine or spirits blended with fruit juice or carbonated mixers.

    Example

    She ordered a peach wine cooler to enjoy on the patio.

    Example

    The bar offers a variety of fruit-based coolers that are particularly popular during the humid summer months.

    • spritzer
    • mixed drink
  2. 4 gambling loss (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Technical

    a situation in poker where you lose a lot of money despite having a very strong hand.

    a hand in which a player holds a very strong set of cards but loses to an even stronger hand, typically resulting in a significant loss of chips.

    Example

    Losing with three of a kind against a straight was a total cooler.

    Example

    The professional player maintained his composure despite the cooler, recognizing that his statistical advantage had simply been overcome by a rare card combination.

    • bad beat
Origin

From cool + -er.

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