Learn English – “cool” used to describe a person

meaningmeaning-in-context

I was reading the about me page on an author of a poker strategy website and on one of the passages he describes himself as a pretty cool guy:

This is the page where you get to read a little more about me and subsequently find out that the guy behind such a sophisticated Texas Hold em website is actually really cool.

I looked up the meaning of cool and it seems like when it's used to describe a person, its meaning is negative. From OALD cool used with persons means:

  1. not friendly, interested or enthusiastic
  2. calm and confident in a way that lacks respect for other people, but makes people admire you as well as disapprove

So what does he mean when he describes himself as "cool"?

Best Answer

He means definition 3. from Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Specifically, see their second example.

3 (informal) used to show that you admire or approve of something or someone because they are fashionable, attractive, and often different

  • You look pretty cool with that new haircut.
  • Dave's a really cool guy.
  • It's a cool movie.

When applied to people (e.g. "pretty cool guy"), I would say it is more likely to mean interesting and different than fashionable and attractive.

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