Word
chilly
US/ˈtʃɪɫi/
UK/tʃˈɪli/
Definitions
01cold weather
A2 · Elementary
adj. uncomfortably cold, but not freezing.
adj. noticeably cold in a way that causes discomfort; typically used for weather or indoor environments.
“It is a bit chilly outside today, so you should probably wear a jacket.”
“The morning air was unexpectedly chilly for June, forcing the hikers to reconsider their choice of lightweight clothing before heading into the valley.”
02feeling cold
A2 · Elementary
adj. the feeling of being cold in your body.
adj. experiencing a sensation of coldness.
“I feel a little chilly with the window open.”
“After standing in the rain for twenty minutes, she felt quite chilly and headed straight for the fireplace once she got home.”
Synonyms
03unfriendly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not friendly or welcoming.
adj. characterised by a lack of warmth or enthusiasm; distant and cool in manner.
“The staff gave us a chilly reception when we arrived late for our reservation.”
“The atmosphere in the boardroom remained chilly throughout the afternoon as neither side was willing to compromise on the contract terms.”
Synonyms
04spicy pepper
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking British English
n. a small, spicy pepper used in cooking.
n. an alternative spelling of 'chili', referring to the small, hot-tasting fruit of a capsicum plant.
“Be careful when cutting the chilly because the seeds are very hot.”
“The recipe calls for one finely chopped green chilly, but you can add more if you prefer a spicier curry.”
Usage
In British English, 'chilli' is the standard spelling, while 'chilly' is occasionally seen as a variant, though 'chilli' is preferred for the food.
Etymology
From chill + -y. Cognate with Swedish kylig (“chilly”), Norwegian kjølig (“chilly”).
See chili.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. chilly climate
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/chilly