chilling

The word “chilling” means causing fear or horror. In plain terms, something that either frightens you deeply, or that cools something down.

“Chilling” is pronounced CHIH-lihng (/ˈt͡ʃɪlɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “chilling” used in a sentence: “The documentary told a chilling account of the disaster.”

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

The word “chilling” comes from Middle English. The -ing form of "chill", used from Middle English onward.

“Chilling” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Chilling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing fear or horror.

Chilly usually describes something mildly cold, like a chilly morning, while chilling more often describes something so frightening or unsettling it produces a physical shiver, such as a chilling story. Chilling can also describe the act of making something cold, but in everyday speech it is used far more for fear than for temperature.

Yes, chilling has two common uses: describing something that causes fear or horror, such as a chilling account of the crash, and describing the process of making something cold, as in the chilling of wine. Context makes clear which sense is meant.

Chilling is frequently paired with words like account, discovery, reminder, effect, and silence to describe something unsettling or ominous. This usage is common in journalism and reviews to signal that a story or event provokes fear or unease rather than simple surprise.