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

Each order also includes two large bags of chips, two large sides of Queso Blanco, two large sides of guac and two large sides of salsa (roasted chili-corn salsa and fresh tomato salsa) and is shareable for groups of three to four. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

This rich, satisfying chili is just right for a wintry night. —Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026

This better-for-you chili has less beef, full flavor, and adds extra beans for a rich, hearty, extra delicious meal. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

Go beyond the usual bags of chips and meat and cheese plates with warm and cold dips, crunchy potato bites, crispy chicken wings and a build your own chili bar. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 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 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