chilly

1 of 2

adjective

ˈchi-lē 

chillier; chilliest

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 

adverb

chilliness

ˈchi-lē-nəs 

noun

chilliness

2 of 2

noun

chill·​i·​ness ˈchi-lē-nəs 

: the quality or state of being chilly

Synonyms of chilly

Adjective

• chilling
• chill
• bleak
• bitter
• cold
• frigid
• brisk
• icy
• freezing

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

Adjective

One side effect of this is a new distance from OpenAI, in addition to its existing chilly relationship with Anthropic, and from the growing number of AI employees in Silicon Valley who also support the calls for a slowdown. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

The first is a strong area of high pressure set up over eastern Canada, sending crisp and chilly air to the Northeast. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

And as the weather turns from balmy to chilly, Huntington-Whiteley will certainly be able to fight the cold with her trusty Burberry wares. — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

This combined with temperatures stuck in the 60s during the daytime hours Tuesday through Thursday will give us a chilly fall feel. — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

and Noun

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chilly

• billie
• billy
• chilli
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly
• hilly
• lily
• philly
• really

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective

ˈchil-ē 

chillier; chilliest

1

: noticeably cold

2

: unpleasantly affected by cold

3

: not friendly

a chilly response

chilliness noun