chili

noun

ˈchi-lē 

variants or less commonly chile or chiefly British chilli

plural chilies also chiles or chilis or chiefly British chillies

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

Examples of chili in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers say that’s because your nervous system gradually adapts to capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

While Garcia runs a steady takeout business, there are a handful of tables inside, with chili flakes in shakers and rolls of paper towel for napkins. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Rainy late October/early November Sunday with a low cloud deck, the NFL Ticket on the basement TVs, a light rain outside with a pot of chili on the stove2. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Lunch includes items like chicken Caesar salads, burgers, and bowls of chili, among other options. — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish chile, from Nahuatl chīlli

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing chili

• chili con carne
• chili con queso
• chili crisp
• chili dog
• chili powder
• chili sauce
• ghost chili

Rhymes for chili

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

Kids Definition

chili

noun

variants also chile or chilli

ˈchil-ē

plural chilies also chiles or chilis or chillies

1

: hot pepper sense 1

2

: chili con carne

Geographical Definition

Chili

geographical name

ˈchi-lē 

—former, especially British name for Chile or for the once poorly defined Andes border region between Chile and Argentina