English Reference
adjective · verb · noun

chilling

adj. · v. · n.
US /ˈtʃɪɫɪŋ/ UK /tʃˈɪlɪŋ/ chill·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.frightening in a way that makes you feel cold with fear.

    adj.causing a sudden feeling of horror or dread; often used to describe stories, crimes, or warnings.

    Simple

    The witness gave a chilling account of what happened that night.

    In context

    The documentary offered a chilling glimpse into the mind of the killer, leaving the audience in stunned silence as the credits rolled.

    frighteningscaryeeriespine tingling
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.causing a feeling of physical cold.

    adj.producing a physical sensation of coldness or a drop in temperature.

    Simple

    A chilling wind blew through the open window all night.

    In context

    The chilling effect of the mountain air was immediate, forcing the hikers to stop and put on their thermal layers.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.the act of making something cold, like food or drink.

    v.the present participle or gerund of 'chill', referring to the process of reducing the temperature of an object.

    Simple

    I am chilling the wine in the fridge before the guests arrive.

    In context

    By chilling the dough for thirty minutes before baking, you ensure that the cookies maintain their shape in the oven.

    coolingrefrigerating
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    n.the process of making something cold.

    n.the action or process of reducing the temperature of a substance, often in an industrial or culinary context.

    Simple

    The rapid chilling of the metal makes it much stronger.

    In context

    The facility uses a specialised chilling system to maintain the stability of the chemical compounds during transport.

There’s a chilling section that brings to mind Forced Entertainment’s unforgettable First Night when they consider who in this audience might die next.

The Guardian· 25 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle English chilling, chelling, chyllinge, chillynge, chillande, equivalent to chill + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English chilling, chillyng, chyllynge, equivalent to chill + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English chilling
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated