English Reference
noun

cooler

n.
US /ˈkuɫɝ/ UK /kˈuːlɐ/ cool·er UK spelling cooler's, cooler's

  1. 01 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

    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.

    iceboxcoolboxchiller
  2. 02 C1 Advanced SlangAmerican English

    a slang word for a prison or a jail cell.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    jailprisonlockup
  3. 03 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    spritzermixed drink
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency SlangTechnical

    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.

    Simple

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

    In context

    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

Usage cooler air · cooler conditions


From cool + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated