chilly
- 01 A2 Elementary
adj.uncomfortably cold, but not freezing.
adj.noticeably cold in a way that causes discomfort; typically used for weather or indoor environments.
Simple“It is a bit chilly outside today, so you should probably wear a jacket.”
In context“The morning air was unexpectedly chilly for June, forcing the hikers to reconsider their choice of lightweight clothing before heading into the valley.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
adj.the feeling of being cold in your body.
adj.experiencing a sensation of coldness.
Simple“I feel a little chilly with the window open.”
In context“After standing in the rain for twenty minutes, she felt quite chilly and headed straight for the fireplace once she got home.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.not friendly or welcoming.
adj.characterised by a lack of warmth or enthusiasm; distant and cool in manner.
Simple“The staff gave us a chilly reception when we arrived late for our reservation.”
In context“The atmosphere in the boardroom remained chilly throughout the afternoon as neither side was willing to compromise on the contract terms.”
Synonyms - 04 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“Be careful when cutting the chilly because the seeds are very hot.”
In context“The recipe calls for one finely chopped green chilly, but you can add more if you prefer a spicier curry.”
UsageIn British English, 'chilli' is the standard spelling, while 'chilly' is occasionally seen as a variant, though 'chilli' is preferred for the food.
From chill + -y. Cognate with Swedish kylig (“chilly”), Norwegian kjølig (“chilly”).
See chili.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.