chili
- 01 A2 Elementary
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.
Simple“I added a chopped red chili to the sauce to give it some heat.”
In context“The chef recommends removing the seeds from the chili if you prefer a milder flavour in the final curry.”
UsageOften used as a countable noun when referring to the whole fruit.
Synonymschili pepperchile - 02 A2 Elementary
a hot dish made with meat, beans, and spicy peppers.
a spicy stew typically consisting of chili peppers, meat, and often beans and tomatoes.
Simple“We cooked a big pot of chili for the party on Saturday night.”
In context“Traditional Texas chili is distinguished by its focus on beef and peppers, often omitting beans entirely.”
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to the dish in general.
Synonymschili con carne - 03 B1 Intermediate
a spicy powder made from dried peppers used to flavour food.
a seasoning composed of ground dried chili peppers, sometimes blended with other spices.
Simple“Add a teaspoon of chili to the meat while it is browning.”
In context“The recipe calls for a specific blend of ancho and chipotle chili to achieve a smoky depth of flavour.”
Synonymschili powder
Borrowed from Spanish chile, from Classical Nahuatl chīlli.
Ellipsis of chili con carne, from Spanish chile con carne (literally “chili with meat”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.