Chilean

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adjective

Chil·​ean ˈchi-lē-ən 

chə-ˈlā-ən

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Chile or its people

Chilean noun

chile

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noun

variant spelling of chili

1

a

or chili pepper : a hot pepper of any of a group of cultivars (Capsicum annuum annuum group longum) noted for their pungency

b

chiefly British chilli : a pepper whether hot or sweet

2

a

: a thick sauce of meat and chilies

liked to cover her spaghetti with red chili

b

: chili con carne

a bowl of chili

also : a similar dish made without beef

vegetarian chili

seafood chili

chile

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pronunciation spelling

ˈchī(-ə)l 

—used for "child" chiefly in spoken African American English especially of the southern U.S. and in written representations of such speech

… sources close to the situation have said that the "Love on the Brain" singer is remaining in Barbados while awaiting the birth of her first chile, as Newsweek also notes.

—Shanelle Genai

—often used as an affectionate or friendly way of addressing someone

"Chile, no one looks great this early in the morning," [Debbie] Allen [actress] replied with a chuckle, thanking her.

—Tonja Renée Stidhum

The couple shared the amazing news on Instagram, and chile … that ring is everything!

—Jasmine Grant

[Nikole] Hannah-Jones [investigative journalist] decided the best response would be to quote King accurately by reading excerpts of his speeches without mentioning explicitly that they were his words. "And, whew, chile, it was AMAZING," she said.

—David Moye

Examples of Chilean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Old-school Tex-Mex cantina known for fajitas, enchiladas, flautas, chile con queso and margaritas. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026

The cookies are finished with a sprinkle of chile-lime seasoning for just a touch of spice. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026

In 2005, the Pueblo began sharing its green chile cheeseburger with the world. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Brown butchers then salts the chickens overnight, and marinates them in a mixture of ancho and puya chiles, garlic and chipotle. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1703, in the meaning defined above

Pronunciation Spelling

1839, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Chilean

• Chilean sea bass

Rhymes for Chilean

• chilian

Geographical Definition

Chile

geographical name

Chi·​le ˈchi-lē 

ˈchē-(ˌ)lā

long, narrow country of southwestern South America between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific; a republic whose capital is Santiago and whose legislative capital is Valparaíso area 291,933 square miles (756,102 square kilometers), population 17,925,000

Chilean

ˈchi-lē-ən 

chə-ˈlā-ən

adjective or noun