The phrase “How cool” is very common in everyday English. People use it to show surprise, interest, or approval.
You may hear it when someone shares good news, an exciting idea, or something impressive. While this phrase is simple and friendly, using it too often can make your English sound repetitive or too casual.
Learning other ways to say “how cool” helps you sound more fluent, confident, and natural. It also allows you to choose the right tone for different situations—formal, informal, spoken, or written.
In professional settings, word choice matters a lot. A small change in words can make you sound more polite, professional, or enthusiastic.
In this article, you will learn 23+ alternatives to “how cool”, with clear meanings, explanations, and examples. These phrases will help English learners and professionals express excitement in many situations.
What Does “How Cool” Mean?
“How cool” is an informal expression used to show admiration, excitement, or pleasant surprise. It is not a full sentence, but an exclamatory phrase.
Grammatically, it starts with “how”, which is often used to express strong feelings (How nice! How amazing!). The word “cool” here does not mean cold. Instead, it means impressive, interesting, or good.
Example:
- You got a new job? How cool!
When to Use “How Cool”
You can use “how cool” in many everyday situations, especially when speaking.
Common contexts include:
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal chats online
- Reacting to good news
- Talking about hobbies, trips, or achievements
Written vs. Spoken:
- Spoken: Very common
- Written: Fine in texts or social media, but not ideal for formal emails
Formal vs. Informal:
- Informal: ✔️ Yes
- Formal: ❌ Not recommended
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “How Cool”?
“How cool” is polite, but it is not professional. In business emails, meetings, or academic writing, it may sound too casual or childish.
For example, saying “How cool!” in a job interview or client email may reduce your credibility. Instead, use more formal alternatives like “That’s impressive” or “That’s great to hear.”
In short:
- Polite? ✅ Yes
- Professional? ❌ No (in most cases)
Pros and Cons of Using “How Cool”
Pros
- Easy to understand
- Friendly and positive
- Natural for casual English
- Common among native speakers
Cons
- Too informal for work settings
- Overused phrase
- Not suitable for formal writing
- Limited emotional range
23+ Other Ways to Say “How Cool” (With Examples)
Below are alternative phrases you can use instead of “how cool,” depending on tone and situation.
1. Phrase: That’s awesome
Meaning: Very impressive or exciting
Explanation: Strong enthusiasm, very common in spoken English
Example Sentence: You finished the project early? That’s awesome!
Best Use: Casual, spoken
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Friendly, enthusiastic
2. Phrase: That’s amazing
Meaning: Something surprising and impressive
Explanation: Slightly stronger than “cool”
Example Sentence: Your artwork looks great. That’s amazing!
Best Use: Casual to semi-formal
Worst Use: Very formal writing
Tone: Positive, excited
3. Phrase: That’s impressive
Meaning: Deserving admiration
Explanation: More professional and polite
Example Sentence: You managed the team well. That’s impressive.
Best Use: Business, formal
Worst Use: Very casual jokes
Tone: Professional, respectful
4. Phrase: That’s great
Meaning: Very good or pleasing
Explanation: Simple and safe in most situations
Example Sentence: Your presentation went well? That’s great!
Best Use: All contexts
Worst Use: Strong excitement moments
Tone: Neutral, friendly
5. Phrase: That’s fantastic
Meaning: Extremely good
Explanation: Shows strong positive emotion
Example Sentence: You won the award? That’s fantastic!
Best Use: Spoken, semi-formal
Worst Use: Very serious situations
Tone: Enthusiastic
6. Phrase: That’s wonderful
Meaning: Something that brings joy
Explanation: Polite and warm
Example Sentence: Your idea helped the team. That’s wonderful.
Best Use: Formal and informal
Worst Use: Sarcastic contexts
Tone: Warm, positive
7. Phrase: That’s interesting
Meaning: Catches attention
Explanation: Less emotional, more thoughtful
Example Sentence: I didn’t know that. That’s interesting.
Best Use: Academic, professional
Worst Use: Celebrations
Tone: Neutral
8. Phrase: That’s exciting
Meaning: Creates excitement or energy
Explanation: Focuses on future or action
Example Sentence: You’re moving abroad? That’s exciting!
Best Use: Casual, spoken
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Energetic
9. Phrase: That’s brilliant
Meaning: Very clever or impressive
Explanation: Common in British English
Example Sentence: Your solution worked. That’s brilliant!
Best Use: Casual to semi-formal
Worst Use: Very formal emails
Tone: Enthusiastic
10. Phrase: That’s nice
Meaning: Pleasant or agreeable
Explanation: Mild reaction, polite
Example Sentence: You had a good weekend? That’s nice.
Best Use: Polite conversations
Worst Use: Big achievements
Tone: Gentle, neutral
11. Phrase: That’s incredible
Meaning: Hard to believe, very impressive
Explanation: Strong emotional reaction
Example Sentence: You ran a marathon? That’s incredible!
Best Use: Spoken English
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Strong, emotional
12. Phrase: That’s impressive work
Meaning: Praises effort or quality
Explanation: Focuses on achievement
Example Sentence: This report is clear. That’s impressive work.
Best Use: Business, academic
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Professional
13. Phrase: That’s a great idea
Meaning: Good suggestion
Explanation: Encouraging and supportive
Example Sentence: We should try that. That’s a great idea.
Best Use: Meetings
Worst Use: Celebrations
Tone: Positive, supportive
14. Phrase: That’s admirable
Meaning: Worth respect
Explanation: Strong praise, formal
Example Sentence: Your honesty is rare. That’s admirable.
Best Use: Formal contexts
Worst Use: Casual jokes
Tone: Respectful
15. Phrase: That’s remarkable
Meaning: Unusual and impressive
Explanation: More formal alternative
Example Sentence: Your progress is fast. That’s remarkable.
Best Use: Professional writing
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Formal
16. Phrase: That’s cool stuff
Meaning: Interesting or fun things
Explanation: Very informal
Example Sentence: These gadgets are fun. That’s cool stuff!
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Workplace
Tone: Casual
17. Phrase: That’s neat
Meaning: Simple and pleasing
Explanation: Mild excitement
Example Sentence: Your desk setup looks good. That’s neat.
Best Use: Casual
Worst Use: Formal settings
Tone: Friendly
18. Phrase: That’s impressive to see
Meaning: Worth noticing
Explanation: Polite and thoughtful
Example Sentence: Your teamwork is strong. That’s impressive to see.
Best Use: Professional feedback
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Polite
19. Phrase: That’s a big achievement
Meaning: Important success
Explanation: Focuses on effort
Example Sentence: You graduated early. That’s a big achievement.
Best Use: Formal praise
Worst Use: Small tasks
Tone: Respectful
20. Phrase: That’s outstanding
Meaning: Extremely good
Explanation: Strong professional praise
Example Sentence: Your performance was excellent. That’s outstanding.
Best Use: Business
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Formal
21. Phrase: That’s something special
Meaning: Unique and meaningful
Explanation: Emotional but polite
Example Sentence: Your story touched me. That’s something special.
Best Use: Semi-formal
Worst Use: Technical writing
Tone: Warm
22. Phrase: I like that
Meaning: Shows approval
Explanation: Simple and direct
Example Sentence: Your design looks good. I like that.
Best Use: Casual
Worst Use: Formal praise
Tone: Neutral
23. Phrase: That’s very creative
Meaning: Shows originality
Explanation: Specific praise
Example Sentence: Your logo idea is new. That’s very creative.
Best Use: Professional feedback
Worst Use: Casual reactions
Tone: Professional
24. Phrase: That’s well done
Meaning: Praise for good work
Explanation: Polite and encouraginghttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positive
Example Sentence: You handled the client well. That’s well done.
Best Use: Business
Worst Use: Casual slang
Tone: Formal
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| That’s awesome | Friendly | Casual |
| That’s impressive | Professional | Business |
| That’s amazing | Enthusiastic | Spoken |
| That’s great | Neutral | All contexts |
| That’s remarkable | Formal | Writing |
| That’s exciting | Energetic | Informal |
FAQs
1. Is “how cool” slang?
Yes, it is informal and conversational.
2. Can I use “how cool” in emails?
Only in friendly or casual emails, not professional ones.
3. What is a formal way to say “how cool”?
Try “That’s impressive” or “That’s remarkable.”
4. Is “awesome” more informal than “cool”?
Yes, it shows stronger emotion and is very casual.
5. Should I avoid “how cool” at work?
Yes, in most professional settings.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say “how cool” helps you speak and write English with confidence. Different situations need different tones. Casual phrases work well with friends, while formal alternatives are better for work and writing.
By using varied expressions, you avoid repetition and sound more natural. Try practicing a few new phrases each day and notice how your communication improves. Small changes in words can make a big difference in how others understand you.
David Jonson is an experienced English language writer who specializes in clear, practical, and learner-friendly content. He helps students and professionals improve their communication skills with confidence.