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

The chain's signature formula of chili with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, poured over a plate of spaghetti and topped with a mound of cheddar cheese, is arguably as emblematic of the Greater Cincinnati region as the Bengals or the Roebling Bridge. —Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 16 July 2025

At Ahan, find a modern spin on soft serve with flavors like pineapple pandan green tea or strawberry jackfruit Dole Whip, which can be drizzled with house made chili crisp. —Regan Stephens, People.com, 16 July 2025

Try add-ons like the usual butter and sour cream or more creative options like chickpeas (another super food), salsa, or chili. —Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 15 July 2025

This turkey chili recipe gets flavor (and fiber!) from a trio of beans, including kidney, garbanzo, and the most unexpected: edamame. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025

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