chilly

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

Synonyms

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

Examples of chilly in a Sentence

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

This tan cardigan is lightweight enough for transitional weather but still provides just the right amount of warmth for chilly flights. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025

Your hoodie should feature functional, deep pockets that can accommodate chilly hands or your wallet and keys. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025

From October 18 to 22, showers and chilly weather are forecasted. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Saginaw matched Detroit's 1933 high of 79, but had a far chillier 1925 holiday with a low of 19. —Melina Khan, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1570, 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