Language isn’t just about vocabulary — it’s about expression. The words you choose shape how others perceive your enthusiasm, your attitude, and even your personality. If you always reply with “That’s cool”, you’re not wrong, but you’re missing out on a world of richer, more engaging ways to show interest or admiration. There are dozens of ways to say that’s cool that can make your conversations feel more natural, expressive, and human.
Think about it: whether you’re praising a friend’s new idea, reacting to a colleague’s creative solution, or appreciating a design online, saying the same phrase repeatedly can feel robotic. Instead, try mixing things up with alternative phrases for that’s cool. This guide explores 20 dynamic synonyms for that’s cool — complete with meanings, scenarios, and examples — so you can sound more fluent, natural, and confident in every context.
Awesome – Expressing Strong Enthusiasm
The word awesome captures genuine excitement and admiration. It’s one of the most common cool slang words in English, yet it never loses its impact when used sincerely.
Example – Email:
Hi Sarah,
I just watched your new product demo, and it’s absolutely awesome. The user interface feels intuitive, and the overall experience blew me away.
– Mark
Use this when you want to show strong approval in casual compliments or workplace emails. It’s ideal for situations where something genuinely impresses you.
Impressive – Showing Significant Achievement
When you want a slightly more formal tone, impressive works beautifully. It highlights skill, quality, or effort — perfect for professional compliments or refined vocabulary situations.
Example – Feedback Message:
Hey James,
Your data visualization project was really impressive. It’s clear you put a lot of thought into the analytics and design.
This is one of the best different ways to say impressive when you want to acknowledge someone’s accomplishment without sounding overexcited.
Neat – Modest and Appealing
Neat is a more understated choice among other expressions for that’s cool. It’s friendly and light, often used for everyday praise phrases or simple ideas that delight you.
Example – Casual Chat:
“That’s a neat trick for organizing tasks — I’ll definitely try that.”
It’s great for conversational English phrases when you want to sound relaxed and approachable.
Fascinating – Intellectually Engaging
If something grabs your curiosity on a deeper level, fascinating is your go-to. It conveys intrigue and wonder, making it ideal for intellectually stimulating expressions.
Example – Message:
“The way you explained quantum computing was absolutely fascinating. I never understood it so clearly before.”
This is perfect for academic settings, documentaries, scientific discussions, or any situation where you’re expressing aesthetic admiration terms for someone’s knowledge or creativity.
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Spectacular – Visually Extraordinary
When something looks breathtaking or feels larger than life, spectacular is a strong choice. It’s one of the most powerful ways to express admiration visually.
Example – Travel Review:
“The sunset over Santorini was truly spectacular. I’ve never seen colors that vivid before.”
This word works well for landscapes, performances, events, and anything visually stunning. It’s a more dramatic alternative than “cool.”
Remarkable – Notable and Worthy of Attention
Remarkable is a great choice for formal admiration phrases. It’s versatile and can describe anything from talent to innovation.
Example – LinkedIn Recommendation:
“Sophia’s leadership skills are truly remarkable. She consistently inspires her team and delivers outstanding results.”
This term is especially effective in professional communication, presentations, and public speaking.
Stunning – Strikingly Beautiful or Impressive
Stunning is perfect for describing beauty — whether in design, art, people, or nature. It belongs to visually stunning phrases and communicates a strong sense of awe.
Example – Compliment:
“Your new portfolio design is absolutely stunning. It’s elegant and easy to navigate.”
Use this when aesthetics take center stage and you want to deliver a heartfelt compliment.
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Groovy – Retro and Cool
A throwback from the 60s and 70s, groovy is a fun, nostalgic term among vintage expressions. It adds a playful tone to your speech.
Example – Friendly Text:
“That playlist you made is groovy — total old-school vibes!”
This works best in casual settings, especially when you want a fun way to say cool with a retro twist.
Wicked – Slang for Excellent
A staple of modern slang, wicked is popular in British and Australian English and often used among younger speakers. It’s casual, bold, and exciting.
Example – Social Media Comment:
“Your guitar solo was wicked last night!”
This phrase fits well in informal ways to say that’s cool, especially when reacting to skills, performances, or achievements.
Trendy – Fashionable or In Style
For anything that’s stylish or current, trendy is one of the best phrases to compliment someone. It’s widely used in fashion, design, and technology conversations.
Example – Lifestyle Blog:
“Her minimalist apartment décor is incredibly trendy — a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance.”
It’s ideal for describing people, products, or ideas that follow the latest fashion vocabulary and contemporary expressions.
Perfect — here’s Part 2 of the full 2500+ word article, continuing right where we left off.
Chic – Sophisticated and Stylish
When you want to add a refined, fashionable twist to your compliment, chic is the ideal choice. It’s commonly used in the context of fashion, décor, and lifestyle, and it carries a touch of elegance that simple words like nice or good can’t match.
Example – Instagram Comment:
“Your outfit today is so chic — it’s classy without trying too hard!”
This term fits perfectly into conversations about modern slang, trendy language, and anything that’s polished and sophisticated. It’s also one of the best phrases to appreciate ideas that blend creativity with elegance.
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Hip – Contemporary and Popular
Hip has a more relaxed, modern tone than chic but still suggests something fashionable and current. It’s one of those casual ways to say cool that instantly makes your speech sound natural and up-to-date.
Example – Conversation:
“That new coffee shop downtown is super hip — they’ve nailed the vibe.”
Use this in conversational English phrases to describe places, trends, or ideas that are contemporary and popular. It’s particularly common in lifestyle, entertainment, and social media contexts.
Radical – Innovative and Exciting
Radical was once a staple of surfer slang in the 1980s, but it’s still widely used today to describe anything groundbreaking or bold. It’s one of the most creative ways to say cool when innovation or daring is involved.
Example – Email:
“Your startup’s approach to eco-friendly packaging is absolutely radical — it’s going to shake up the industry.”
This phrase is perfect for praising innovation, fresh ideas, or bold moves, especially in tech, entrepreneurship, or creative industries.
Bang-up Job – Exceptionally Well Done
When you want to go beyond a simple compliment and emphasize excellence in performance, bang-up job is a fantastic choice. It’s informal but impactful, making it great for both workplace praise and friendly recognition.
Example – Workplace Email:
“You did a bang-up job on the presentation today, Emma. The clients were impressed and engaged throughout.”
This phrase works beautifully for words to praise someone in a team or collaborative setting. It feels more personal and genuine than a generic “good job.”
Top-Notch – Highest Quality or Excellence
Top-notch is a versatile phrase that instantly elevates your compliment. It suggests something is the very best of its kind — whether you’re talking about work, service, or personal achievements.
Example – Customer Feedback:
“The support I received from your team was top-notch — fast, helpful, and professional.”
Use this when you want to highlight high quality in both formal admiration phrases and casual conversations. It’s especially powerful in reviews, testimonials, and evaluations.
Superb – Outstanding or Exceptional
If you’re looking for advanced vocabulary for admiration that works well in both formal and informal contexts, superb is a strong option. It’s direct yet elegant and carries a sense of excellence.
Example – Restaurant Review:
“The meal was superb — every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor.”
This word is often used in hospitality, performance reviews, or any scenario where quality surpasses expectations.
Brilliant – Clever or Exceptional
In British English especially, brilliant is one of the most popular other expressions for that’s cool. It can mean clever, excellent, or simply great — making it incredibly versatile.
Example – Message:
“Your solution to the budget issue was absolutely brilliant. We’ll definitely implement it.”
It’s ideal for situations where someone’s work, idea, or creativity deserves recognition, and it works across casual, professional, and academic contexts.
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Killer – Extremely Good or Impressive
Killer is a more edgy, slangy way to show excitement. It’s one of the most informal ways to say that’s cool, often used among friends or in pop culture conversations.
Example – Text:
“That concert last night was killer — best live show I’ve seen all year!”
It’s ideal for music, entertainment, and social settings where casual, energetic language feels natural.
Dope – Extremely Impressive or Stylish
A staple in cool slang words, dope has become one of the go-to words for younger generations. It expresses excitement, admiration, and approval — often for style, skill, or creativity.
Example – Social Media Post:
“Your new track is seriously dope — I can’t stop playing it!”
It’s a great fun way to say cool when you want to sound laid-back and enthusiastic.
Lit – Exciting, Fun, or Amazing
Rounding out our list is lit, one of the most popular slang terms of recent years. It means something is amazing, exciting, or full of energy.
Example – Party Invite Message:
“Last night’s party was lit — everyone had a blast!”
Use this when you’re describing experiences, events, or social moments that are worth remembering.
When to Use Different “That’s Cool” Alternatives
Understanding the ways to show approval isn’t just about memorizing new phrases — it’s about knowing when to use them. Each synonym fits best in different contexts, and choosing the right one can elevate your communication skills.
For General Admiration
Words like awesome, impressive, brilliant, and neat are ideal for everyday conversations and casual compliments. They’re easy to use in both personal and professional interactions without sounding exaggerated.
For Intellectual or Visual Appeal
If you’re reacting to something thought-provoking or aesthetically pleasing, go with fascinating, spectacular, or stunning. These aesthetic admiration terms convey deeper appreciation and often sound more polished.
For Trendiness and Style
When discussing fashion, tech, or lifestyle, phrases like trendy, chic, and hip are your best bet. They signal an awareness of modern slang and contemporary
Table of Synonyms for “That’s Cool”
| Synonym | Meaning | Best Context |
|---|---|---|
| Awesome | Strong enthusiasm | Everyday praise, casual conversation |
| Impressive | Significant achievement | Work, feedback, presentations |
| Neat | Modest and appealing | Simple ideas, light praise |
| Fascinating | Intellectually engaging | Science, innovation, deep ideas |
| Spectacular | Visually extraordinary | Nature, travel, events |
| Remarkable | Notable and worthy of attention | Leadership, performance reviews |
| Stunning | Strikingly beautiful or impressive | Art, design, visuals |
| Groovy | Retro and cool | Nostalgic slang, fun conversations |
| Wicked | Slang for excellent | Youth slang, informal settings |
| Trendy | Fashionable or in style | Style, tech, lifestyle |
| Chic | Sophisticated and stylish | Fashion, décor, refined settings |
| Hip | Contemporary and popular | Modern culture, social spaces |
| Radical | Innovative and exciting | Innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship |
| Bang-up job | Exceptionally well done | Workplace praise, collaboration |
| Top-notch | Highest quality or excellence | Reviews, feedback, recommendations |
| Superb | Outstanding or exceptional | Hospitality, performance reviews |
| Brilliant | Clever or exceptional | Solutions, ideas, creativity |
| Killer | Extremely good or impressive | Entertainment, music, lifestyle |
| Dope | Extremely impressive or stylish | Pop culture, youth language |
| Lit | Exciting, fun, or amazing | Social events, parties, experiences |
FAQs
Can these phrases be used in professional emails?
Yes, many of these alternative phrases for that’s cool work perfectly in professional messages.
Are any of these expressions considered slang?
Some are casual cool slang words, so choose them based on the situation.
Can I mix formal and informal phrases in conversation?
Absolutely, blending conversational English phrases with formal ones makes speech more natural.
Do these alternatives work in written content too?
Yes, these phrases to appreciate ideas fit well in emails, blogs, and social media posts.
Will using these phrases improve my fluency?
Definitely, using different ways to say impressive will make your English sound more fluent and expressive.
Conclusion
Language grows stronger when you use it with intention, and these unique expressions for cool help you do just that. By mixing conversational English phrases with bold, modern vocabulary, you’ll make compliments sound more genuine and memorable.
Every word in this guide adds flavor to daily conversations and improves how you show approval naturally. Use them confidently and watch how they make your interactions richer, warmer, and far more impactful.
Zoey Alba is an experienced blogger and language enthusiast with a passion for helping readers master the art of grammar. With years of expertise in writing, editing, and content creation, Zoey shares practical tips and insightful advice to make grammar accessible for all. When she’s not writing, Zoey enjoys reading, learning new languages, and inspiring others to write with confidence.