CoffeeScript is a programming language that compiles to JavaScript. It enhances JavaScript's readability and conciseness, offering features like list comprehensions, destructuring, and a simpler syntax. CoffeeScript encourages best practices and generates cleaner JavaScript code. Many developers choose it to streamline their workflow and improve their codebase's maintainability. While less popular than in the past, it continues to be used in projects that require its unique stylistic approach.