Cool MateBe cool vs Chill vs Relax
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Be cool
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Chill
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Relax
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most formal: RelaxMost common: Relax
| Be cool | Chill | Relax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //biː kuːl//🇺🇸 //bi kul// | 🇬🇧 //tʃɪl//🇺🇸 //tʃɪl// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Stay calm and relaxed. | To relax or calm down. | To make yourself feel calm and not stressed. |
| Example | Just be cool; everything will turn out fine. | Let's chill at my place this weekend. | After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book. |
| Register | Informal | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | ||
| Collocations | be cool about something, just be cool, be cool under pressure | chill out, just chill, chill vibes, chill time, chill with friends | completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself |
| Antonyms | - | - | stress, tense, worry |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'be cruel' - they have opposite meanings., Used in formal contexts - avoid in business meetings., 'Be cool' misused with serious topics - it's too casual. | Confusing with 'chilly' which means cool or cold., Using 'chill' in formal contexts like business emails., Misusing 'chill' as a noun instead of a verb. | 'Relax' is sometimes confused with 'release' as if both mean the same thing., Learners may forget to use an object, saying just 'I relax' instead of 'I relax myself'., Some might use 'relax' inappropriately with a negative tone, which can sound confusing. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to encourage someone to relax or remain calm. Not typically used in formal situations. | Use 'chill' in casual conversations. It's informal and not suitable for formal writing or meetings. | Use 'relax' when talking about making oneself calm. It's suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in very formal occasions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Be cool vs Chill vs Relax
What's the difference between Be cool, Chill, and Relax?
Be cool: Stay calm and relaxed. Chill: To relax or calm down. Relax: To make yourself feel calm and not stressed.
Which is more formal: Be cool, Chill, and Relax?
Relax is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Be cool, Chill, and Relax?
Relax is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Be cool: Just be cool; everything will turn out fine. Chill: Let's chill at my place this weekend. Relax: After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book.
Can I use Be cool, Chill, and Relax interchangeably?
Not always. Be cool, Chill, and Relax are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.