What does "chili" mean?

1. (the spicy fruit) a small green or red vegetable that tastes very hot and spicy. 2. (the spicy stew) a hot dish made with meat, beans, and spicy peppers. 3. (the powder) a spicy powder made from dried peppers used to flavour food.

How do you use "chili"?

Often used as a countable noun when referring to the whole fruit. Usually uncountable when referring to the dish in general.

chili

US //ˈtʃɪɫi// chili

1 the spicy fruit (n.)
A2 Elementary American English Cooking

a small green or red vegetable that tastes very hot and spicy.

the pungent fruit of various cultivated varieties of capsicum, used to add heat to culinary dishes.

Example

I added a chopped red chili to the sauce to give it some heat.

Example

The chef recommends removing the seeds from the chili if you prefer a milder flavour in the final curry.

Usage

Often used as a countable noun when referring to the whole fruit.
- chili pepper
- chile
2 the spicy stew (n.)
A2 Elementary American English Cooking

a hot dish made with meat, beans, and spicy peppers.

a spicy stew typically consisting of chili peppers, meat, and often beans and tomatoes.

Example

We cooked a big pot of chili for the party on Saturday night.

Example

Traditional Texas chili is distinguished by its focus on beef and peppers, often omitting beans entirely.

Usage

Usually uncountable when referring to the dish in general.
- chili con carne

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3 the powder (n.)
B1 Intermediate American English Cooking

a spicy powder made from dried peppers used to flavour food.

a seasoning composed of ground dried chili peppers, sometimes blended with other spices.

Example

Add a teaspoon of chili to the meat while it is browning.

Example

The recipe calls for a specific blend of ancho and chipotle chili to achieve a smoky depth of flavour.
- chili powder

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Spanish chile, from Classical Nahuatl chīlli.

Etymology 2

Ellipsis of chili con carne, from Spanish chile con carne (literally “chili with meat”).