chili
CHIH-lee
Chili (noun) means a hot-tasting pepper (fresh or dried) used to add spice to food. Example: “Add one chopped chili if you want the sauce hotter.”
noun
1
A hot-tasting pepper (fresh or dried) used to add spice to food.
"Add one chopped chili if you want the sauce hotter."
"The market sold red and green chilies side by side."
"Be careful not to touch your eyes after cutting a chili."
2
A thick, spicy stew usually made with meat or beans and chili peppers.
"We made a big pot of chili for the game."
"Dad served the chili with rice and a spoonful of soured cream."
"On cold evenings, a bowl of hot chili is hard to beat."
How to use chili
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the hot pepper itself, or the stew named after it.
UK vs US
American English spells it "chili"; British English more often uses "chilli".
Common pairings
a bowl of chili
chili powder
chili pepper
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Word forms
- Plural
- chilis, chilies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Add one chopped _____ if you want the sauce hotter.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish chile, which came from the Nahuatl word chīlli.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for chili
See all rhymes for chili →Frequently asked questions
What does “chili” mean?
The word “chili” means a hot-tasting pepper (fresh or dried) used to add spice to food. In plain terms, either the hot pepper itself, or the stew named after it.
How do you pronounce “chili”?
“Chili” is pronounced CHIH-lee (/ˈt͡ʃɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “chili” in a sentence?
Here is “chili” used in a sentence: “Add one chopped chili if you want the sauce hotter.”
What part of speech is “chili”?
“Chili” is a noun.
Where does the word “chili” come from?
The word “chili” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish chile, which came from the Nahuatl word chīlli.
Is “chili” a common word?
“Chili” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “chili” have?
“Chili” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hot-tasting pepper (fresh or dried) used to add spice to food.
What is the difference between chili and chilli?
Chili and chilli are simply different spellings of the same word. Chili is more common in American English, while chilli is the more common spelling in British English.
What is the difference between chili the pepper and chili the dish?
Chili as a pepper refers to the hot-tasting fresh or dried fruit used to spice food. Chili as a dish refers to a thick, spicy stew usually made with meat or beans and chili peppers.
Is chili the same as chili powder?
No. Chili refers to the fresh or dried pepper itself, or to the stew made with it, while chili powder is a ground spice blend that typically includes dried chilies along with other spices.
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