An Ultimate List of Slang Terms that Mean “Cool”

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Travel through time to learn what meant “cool” back in the day
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Cool. You know it. You’ve used it. It’s the go-to slang for expressing your approval. But did you know there are many other ways you can say the same thing? We combed through the language of the most iconic eras to bring you all the generational synonyms for “cool.” So, keep reading to learn all the different, wacky ways you can say “cool.”

Synonyms for “Cool”

  • Lit
  • Fab
  • Dope
  • Groovy
  • Rad
  • Sick
Section 1 of 3:

Current Slang Terms for “Cool”

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  1. Step 1 Millennial Slang Terms for “Cool”
    Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) are a composition of some of the best eras. You’ve got the big hair, electric sound, and vibrant colors of the 80s, and the boy bands and casual chic of the 90s.[1] With the spark of the digital age, slang was techno, short, and quick to the point. Believe it or not, these slang terms were trendy back in the day, and we bet you still hear them being used by those in their late 20s and early 30s today![2]
  2. Step 2 Gen Z Slang Terms for “Cool”
    These slang terms are ingrained in Gen Z (or those born between 1997 and 2012)—they’re the “cool” of this generation! Gen Z grew up with the internet and social media, so if you’re chronically online, you’ve likely heard these terms before.[4] For older folks, they may seem a bit bizarre or random, but in actuality, they’re a total depiction of today’s youth and social culture.[5]
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  3. Step 3 Gen Alpha Slang Terms for “Cool”
    The language of the latest generation is all about quirks. Gen Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2024) is heavily influenced by the internet and media, so it’s no surprise that their vocabulary reflects that.[7] To older generations, the slang may seem bizarre, but it’s actually super unique and fun! Take a look at the most common way kids are saying “cool” today:
    • Ate
    • Aura
    • Bussin’
    • Brat
    • Drip
    • Goat
    • Gyatt
    • Mad lit
    • Period / periodt
    • Rizz
    • Sigma
    • Skibidi
    • Slay
    • Yeet
    • Looking for more Gen Alpha slang? Check out our Dictionary of Gen Alpha Terms!
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Section 2 of 3:

Past Slang Terms for “Cool”

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  1. Step 1 The 15th & 17th Centuries
    Yes, you read that right: synonyms for “cool” date all the way back to Shakespeare’s time—wild right? Back then, people still needed to express excitement or approval (after all, that’s not a new concept). Many of these dated slang terms aren’t used outside of historical literature or entertainment today, but if Bridgerton has taught us anything, chivalry and fancy language are making a comeback. Check out these slang terms used between the 1500s and 1700s that are equivalent to today’s “cool”:
    • Beneship
    • Bully
    • Cracking
    • Dandy
    • Fly
    • Hot
    • Slapping
    • Smashing / smacking
    • Spendacious / spendidous / splendidious
    • Swell
  2. Step 2 Early 1900s Slang for “Cool”
    With the turn of the century came new technology, music, and, of course, slang. Gone was the fanciful, elegant speech of the regal eras. Now, it was all about style, class, and ease. The language of the 1900s blended formalities with colloquialisms (or informality). It was more normal to ramble on, say “um,” or interject.[8] In other words, slang was all the rage! Here are the most common ways people said “cool” in the nineteenth century:
    • Bee’s knees
    • Bodacious
    • Boss
    • Cat’s meow / cat’s pajamas
    • Ginchy
    • Hip
    • In
    • It
    • Kif / kiff
    • Righteous
    • Supersonic
  3. Step 3 60s & 70s Slang for “Cool”
    The 1960s and 1970s were a significant time in history—so much changed culturally, politically, and socially. The clothing was groovy, the hair was bouncy, the music was soulful, and the language was relaxed.[9] Gone were the days of etiquette, and in were the days of vibes and relaxation. In turn, the slang followed, becoming even shorter and stellar.
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Section 3 of 3:

Other Fun Ways to Say “Cool”

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  1. 1
    “Guay” In Spain, “guay” is the same as America’s “cool.” If you speak English, the slang term is pronounced like “why.”[11]
  2. 2
    “Chido” In Mexico, “chido” means “cool.” It’s one of the only slang terms to have a singular meaning! So, if someone asks “¿Como estás?” (How are you?), you could say, “Chido” (I’m cool).[12]
  3. 3
    “Shaka” In Hawaii, “shaka” is a slang term and hand gesture that means “awesome, amazing, cool.” Simply say the word while making a fist, extending your pinky and thumb, and shaking your hand slightly.[13]
  4. 4
    “Chouette” / “ça claque” / “ça pète” In French, “cool” is often expressed by the phrases “chouette,” “ça claque,” and “ça pète.” In some instances, these slang terms may also mean “nice.”[14]
  5. 5
    “Kakkoii” / “iketeru” / “kacchoi” / “kakkee” In Japanese, “kakkoii,” “iketeru,” “kacchoi,” and “kakkee” all translate to an English “cool.” “Kakkoii” is the most standard and widely used slang term, but any other is equally acceptable.[15]
  6. 6
    “Eel’s hips” / “frog’s eyebrows” / “antelope’s tonsils” Can you believe people used to yell out these phrases whenever they were thrilled or impressed? Yeah, us either! These slang terms for “cool” were used in the early 1900s. Their counterpart, “bee’s knees,” stood the test of time, unlike these goofy terms.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
  2. ↑ https://inns.innsofcourt.org/media/197407/millennial-lingo.pdf
  3. ↑ Kiera Ayres. Test Prep Instructor. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
  5. ↑ https://gabb.com/blog/teen-slang/
  6. ↑ Kiera Ayres. Test Prep Instructor. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://springtideresearch.org/thirteen-a-first-look-at-gen-alpha?srsltid=AfmBOoqX9sgUx0fDxhnvOOrgizL26_7XQQa_A-0W2k9QvbJvCsBl7cZy
  8. ↑ https://www.oed.com/discover/nineteenth-century-english-an-overview/?tl=true
  9. ↑ https://www.history.com/articles/1960s-history
  1. ↑ Kiera Ayres. Test Prep Instructor. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://wh-tools.shinyapps.io/Expert-Engine-Editor-Demo/
  3. ↑ https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/cool-spanish/
  4. ↑ https://www.polynesia.com/local-dictionary
  5. ↑ https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad/blog/top-20-french-slang-words-and-phrases-you-must-know
  6. ↑ https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/cool-in-japanese/

About This Article

Kiera Ayres
Co-authored by:
Kiera Ayres
English Language Teacher
This article was co-authored by Kiera Ayres and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Kiera Ayres is a test prep instructor and English teacher based in Vancouver, BC. With over 10 years of experience teaching English, Kiera primarily works with clients learning English as a second language who are interested in immigrating to Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the UK. In 2020, she founded PROFessional PREParation, a test prep platform offering engaging, high-quality materials to support IELTS and CELPIP studies, as well as general English learning. Kiera has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Thompson Rivers University.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: September 14, 2025
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Categories: English Dialects and Slang
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