chilly

1 of 2

adjective

ˈchi-lē How to pronounce chilly (audio)
chillier; chilliest
Synonyms of chillynext
1
: noticeably cold : chilling
a chilly day
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
chilly spectators
3
: lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly
a chilly reception
4
: tending to arouse fear or apprehension
chilly suspicions
chillily
ˈchi-lə-lē How to pronounce chilly (audio)
adverb
chilliness
ˈchi-lē-nəs How to pronounce chilly (audio)
noun

chilliness

2 of 2

noun

chill·​i·​ness ˈchi-lē-nəs How to pronounce chilliness (audio)
: the quality or state of being chilly

Synonyms of chilly

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Adjective

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Examples of chilly in a Sentence

Adjective It's a little chilly outside. You must be chilly without a coat on. They gave him a chilly reception.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
For chilly evenings on the beach or long days standing around Cisco, having the ability to just be snug will go a long way. — Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026 On a chilly afternoon in March 2018, two people were found slumped on a bench in an outdoor shopping complex in the city’s center. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 A touch of cream and Parmesan gives it a savory richness that’s perfect for chilly nights. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026 Communal bathhouses like the Ice Bath Club and Nowhere Baths have sprung up in Asian financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong, where health-conscious millennial and Gen Z consumers pay hefty sums for a chilly soak. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chilly

Word History

Etymology

and Noun

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chilly was in 1567

Rhymes for chilly

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Browse Nearby Words

chillumchee
chilly
chill zone
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Cite this Entry

“Chilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilly. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chilly

adjective
ˈchil-ē How to pronounce chilly (audio)
chillier; chilliest
1
: noticeably cold
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
3
: not friendly
a chilly response
chilliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chilly

Nglish: Translation of chilly for Spanish Speakers

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