# chilling

/ˈtʃɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /tʃˈɪlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chilling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. scary or frightening

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The witness gave a chilling account of what happened that night.
- The documentary offered a chilling glimpse into the mind of the killer, leaving the audience in stunned silence as the credits rolled.

### 2. making you cold

adjective · CEFR B2

causing a feeling of physical cold.

For teachers: producing a physical sensation of coldness or a drop in temperature.

- A chilling wind blew through the open window all night.
- The chilling effect of the mountain air was immediate, forcing the hikers to stop and put on their thermal layers.

### 3. cooling something down

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- I am chilling the wine in the fridge before the guests arrive.
- By chilling the dough for thirty minutes before baking, you ensure that the cookies maintain their shape in the oven.

### 4. the process of cooling

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of making something cold.

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

- The rapid chilling of the metal makes it much stronger.
- The facility uses a specialised chilling system to maintain the stability of the chemical compounds during transport.

## Examples

- The movie ended with a chilling scream.
- The witness gave a chilling account of the events that took place on the night of the crime.
- The documentary provides a chilling look at how easily misinformation can spread through social networks, ultimately destabilizing local governments and inciting widespread public panic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.