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
Add a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt for texture, a dash of red chili flakes for heat, and finish with a drizzle of your favorite olive oil.
—
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Give your slow-cooker the night off because this fan-favorite chili relies on the Instant Pot for a quick and delicious option.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Boparai said some of the restaurant’s bestsellers include a Desi garlic chicken pizza — which includes an Indian green chili called hari mirch — and a lamb kebab pizza.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Spicy chili crisp, umami miso and vodka combined with funky pecorino romano combine to create something far greater than any of the individual parts.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
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Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Give your slow-cooker the night off because this fan-favorite chili relies on the Instant Pot for a quick and delicious option.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Boparai said some of the restaurant’s bestsellers include a Desi garlic chicken pizza — which includes an Indian green chili called hari mirch — and a lamb kebab pizza.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Spicy chili crisp, umami miso and vodka combined with funky pecorino romano combine to create something far greater than any of the individual parts.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
Cite this Entry
“Chili.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chili. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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