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adj

chilly

CHIH-lee
adj
1
Cold enough to be uncomfortable.
"It gets chilly here once the sun sets."
"Bring a jacket, it's a bit chilly tonight."
2
Unfriendly or distant in manner.
"Her reply had a chilly tone that put him on edge."

How to Use Chilly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMildly cold — either the weather, or someone's attitude.

Common mistake

Don't mix up "chilly" (cold) with "chili" (the pepper or stew) — they sound alike but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with

Word Forms

chillier comparative, chilliest superlative

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Fill the Gap

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It gets _____ here once the sun sets.

Etymology

Formed from "chill" plus the adjective suffix -y.

Related Words

Rhymes for chilly

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