chill

13 synonyms and 1 antonym for chill, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — An uncomfortable feeling of coldness.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

cool

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

nip relaxed mellow

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

coolness coldness laid-back quiver iciness shiver frisson pall gelidity

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

An uncomfortable feeling of coldness.

“She pulled on a jumper to keep out the evening chill.”

coolness coldness nip relaxed laid-back mellow quiver iciness shiver frisson pall gelidity

Opposites

warmth

2. verb

To make something cold, or to become cold.

“Leave the dessert to chill in the fridge for at least two hours.”

cool

How to use chill

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

chill out a chill vibe chill the champagne

The relaxed/easygoing sense ("just chill") is informal and common in casual speech.

Etymology

From Old English ċiele, meaning cold, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to be cold" — the same root gave us "cool" and "cold".

Full origin of chill →

Frequently asked questions

What does “chill” mean?

The word “chill” means an uncomfortable feeling of coldness. In plain terms, cold, or the feeling of cold — and, informally, being relaxed or relaxing.

How do you pronounce “chill”?

“Chill” is pronounced chihl (/tʃɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “chill” in a sentence?

Here is “chill” used in a sentence: “There was a chill in the air as the sun went down.”

What part of speech is “chill”?

Depending on how it is used, “chill” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “chill” come from?

The word “chill” comes from Old English. From Old English ċiele, meaning cold, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to be cold" — the same root gave us "cool" and "cold".

Is “chill” a common word?

“Chill” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “chill” have?

“Chill” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an uncomfortable feeling of coldness.

What is the difference between chill and cold?

As a noun, chill is an uncomfortable feeling of coldness, often a mild or sudden one, while cold is the broader, general lack of warmth. A chill often suggests a shiver or a slight, penetrating coolness rather than deep cold. You might catch a chill from a draught, whereas cold describes the overall temperature.

When should you use chill instead of relax?

Chill is informal and best suited to casual conversation, as in telling someone to chill or describing a chill atmosphere. Relax is neutral and works in both casual and formal settings. In writing or professional contexts, relax is the safer choice.

What is the difference between chill and chilly?

Chill as a noun means a feeling of coldness, while chilly is an adjective meaning unpleasantly cold. You might feel a chill, or say the weather is chilly. Chill can also mean relaxed in slang, a meaning chilly does not share.

People also searched

cool relaxed warmth mellow nip iciness frisson quiver pall shiver coldness coolness

Nearby words

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