chile

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

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 chile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

So many dishes around the world begin by cooking some combination of aromatics (garlic, ginger, chiles, lemongrass) and vegetables (onions, celery, carrots) in hot fat, whether as a sofrito, a mirepoix, a recaito or a ginisa. —Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

What that means: plates of directly satisfying crudo, with heat from Fresno chiles and sweet-bitter limequat juice forming splotches in a pool of olive oil. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings, $5.99 With notes of vinegar, cayenne pepper, and chile pepper extract, Trader Joe’s wings pack a punch with just the right amount of kick. —Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024

To make the mole, the kitchen team will seed, toast, crush, and fry a variety of chiles, nuts, and seeds before leaving the mole to age in a process that will take a total of four days. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024

The green chiles, fresh cilantro and garlic break down easier against its abrasive surface. —Naz Deravian, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024

Use it for breakfast in this delicious frittata that's colored with green chiles, black beans, and fresh cilantro. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024

One is a roasted chile one with more depth, and the other is a fresh chile with fish sauce and ginger. —Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024

Lamb ribs rubbed with coriander, fennel and chile flakes and heaped over pickled fennel are their equal. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Pronunciation Spelling

1839, in the meaning defined above

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