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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Adding a salt rim elevates your glass, but for a spicy kick, use Halo Del Santo, a cocktail garnish made with salt, fiery chiles and a touch of citrus. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Inspired by the flavors of Mexican salsa macha, this fruit salad marries watermelon with lime, cilantro, dry-roasted peanuts, and chiles. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025 Baby potatoes are tossed with a green chile sauce that lends herbaceous, tangy flavor to every bite. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 13 May 2025 Stir in cabbage, onion, and pickled jalapeño chiles. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chile

Word History

First Known Use

Pronunciation Spelling

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chile was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chile. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Geographical Definition

Chile

geographical name

Chi·​le ˈchi-lē How to pronounce Chile (audio)
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 How to pronounce Chile (audio)
chə-ˈlā-ən
adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chile

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