chilly
CHIH-lee
Chilly (adj) means Cold enough to be uncomfortable. Example: “It gets chilly here once the sun sets.”
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- chillier
- Superlative
- chilliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It gets _____ here once the sun sets.
Etymology
Formed from "chill" plus the adjective suffix -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for chilly
See all rhymes for chilly →Frequently asked questions
What does “chilly” mean?
The word “chilly” means cold enough to be uncomfortable. In plain terms, mildly cold — either the weather, or someone's attitude.
How do you pronounce “chilly”?
“Chilly” is pronounced CHIH-lee (/ˈt͡ʃɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “chilly” in a sentence?
Here is “chilly” used in a sentence: “It gets chilly here once the sun sets.”
What is another word for “chilly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chilly” include cold.
What part of speech is “chilly”?
“Chilly” is an adjective.
Is “chilly” a common word?
“Chilly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “chilly” have?
“Chilly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cold enough to be uncomfortable.
