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

Weeknight chili This America's Test Kitchen recipe gets around the protein deficit by adding red kidney beans. —The Npr Network, NPR, 15 Sep. 2024

At Mother Pizzeria in Newport, Rhode Island, this pizza upgrade is made with fresh lobster, corn, tomato, pickled Fresno chili, scallion, mozzarella, and basil. —Aly Walansky, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

For something cozy, but not basic: Ask Rabble Coffee for an open sesame: a latte with tahini, dates, orange, cinnamon and chili pepper. —Arika Herron, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024

Gouda Cheese This creamy charcuterie board favorite pairs nicely with crackers, vegetables, and fruits but can also be used in chili, stews, or hot sandwiches. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2024

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 dog
• chili pepper
• chili powder
• chili sauce
• ghost chili

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