# cooler

/ˈkuɫɝ/ (US) · /kˈuːlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cooler
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. insulated container

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

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

### 2. prison

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · American English

a slang word for a prison or a jail cell.

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

- The thief spent a few nights in the cooler after he was caught.
- In many classic crime films, the protagonist is threatened with a long stretch in the cooler if they refuse to cooperate with the authorities.

### 3. alcoholic drink

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- She ordered a peach wine cooler to enjoy on the patio.
- The bar offers a variety of fruit-based coolers that are particularly popular during the humid summer months.

### 4. gambling loss

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

- Losing with three of a kind against a straight was a total cooler.
- The professional player maintained his composure despite the cooler, recognizing that his statistical advantage had simply been overcome by a rare card combination.

## Examples

- We packed the cooler with ice and soda for the picnic.
- Before heading to the beach, they filled the cooler with sandwiches and cold water to avoid buying expensive snacks.
- Modern high-end coolers utilize thick rotomolded plastic and heavy-duty seals to maintain ice for several days, even when exposed to direct sunlight in tropical climates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.