Meaning & use

coolly

adverb·Academic

In a calm, composed manner, without showing excitement, anger, or nervousness.

See it in a sentence

She coolly explained the mistake to her boss instead of panicking about the deadline.

He coolly stepped over the fallen branch and kept walking as if nothing had happened.

A note on using this word

Coolly can also mean with a noticeable lack of warmth or friendliness, as in she greeted him coolly.

Words with a similar meaning

calmlycomposedly

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

franticallyanxiously

Another way to use it

2. adverb

In an unfriendly or indifferent way, showing little warmth toward someone.

The manager received the complaint coolly and offered no apology at all.

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