Coolish

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈkuːlɪʃ/

Definitions

1. Moderately chilly in nature or temperature that feels invigorating
2. Having a temperature that is mildly cold, not warm but not freezing either
3. Feeling lightly chilled, producing a slight sensation of coldness

Etymology: "Coolish" is about as straightforward as English compounds get: it is the adjective "cool" with the suffix "-ish" attached, the same ending that turns "red" into "reddish" or "child" into "childish." The suffix comes from Old English "-isc," meaning "belonging to" or "having the nature of," and it has been used freely to soften an adjective, so that "coolish" means something like "somewhat cool" rather than fully cold. The interesting part lies in the base word. "Cool" has a long history of its own, descending from Old English "cōl," and its meaning has moved from literal temperature toward a range of figurative senses such as calm, composed, or fashionable. "Coolish" mostly keeps to the literal sense, so it describes a mild, pleasant chill, such as a breeze on a spring evening, rather than the emotional or social uses that "cool" has acquired.

Synonyms: mild, chilly

Antonyms: warm, hot