adj
Uncommon
chilling
CHIH-lihng
Chilling (adj) means causing fear or horror. Example: “The documentary told a chilling account of the disaster.”
adj
1
Causing fear or horror.
"The documentary told a chilling account of the disaster."
"It was chilling to hear how close they came to danger."
"There was a chilling silence in the room after the door slammed shut."
2
Making something cold.
"A chilling wind blew off the lake."
noun
1
The process of cooling something down.
"Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out."
"Chilling the wine for an hour before dinner makes it taste fresher."
"Proper chilling of fish on the boat keeps it fresh until it reaches the market."
How to use chilling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that either frightens you deeply, or that cools something down.
Common pairings
a chilling effect
chilling news
chilling story
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Word forms
- Plural
- chillings
- Comparative
- more chilling
- Superlative
- most chilling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The documentary told a _____ account of the disaster.
Etymology
The -ing form of "chill", used from Middle English onward.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for chilling
willing
killing
filling
milling
billing
drilling
spilling
grilling
trilling
Shilling
unwilling
thrilling
See all rhymes for chilling →
Frequently asked questions
What does “chilling” mean?
The word “chilling” means causing fear or horror. In plain terms, something that either frightens you deeply, or that cools something down.
How do you pronounce “chilling”?
“Chilling” is pronounced CHIH-lihng (/ˈt͡ʃɪlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “chilling” in a sentence?
Here is “chilling” used in a sentence: “The documentary told a chilling account of the disaster.”
What part of speech is “chilling”?
Depending on how it is used, “chilling” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “chilling” come from?
The word “chilling” comes from Middle English. The -ing form of "chill", used from Middle English onward.
Is “chilling” a common word?
“Chilling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chilling” have?
“Chilling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing fear or horror.
What is the difference between chilling and chilly when describing weather or feelings?
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.
Can chilling be used to describe both fear and 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.
What kind of nouns commonly follow chilling in news or reviews?
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.
