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
Mayer’s Garden, Henderson Avenue Mayer’s Garden will be open and offering $5 chili, $7 Frito pie and $8 hot drinks all weekend long.
—
Claire Ballor
staff Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
The 40 Below’s Insulated Food Bag is a neoprene pouch that helps the cook-in bags, which are insulated with much milder climates and shorter cooking times in mind, retain heat while your chili mac rehydrates.
—Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Chili dogs Smith also recommends a fun take on two American classics — hot dogs and chili — that come together as an easy, inexpensive and comforting meal.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This 6-quart size from Lodge is just right for one-pot meals, soups, chili, bread, and more.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chili
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Claire Ballor
staff Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
The 40 Below’s Insulated Food Bag is a neoprene pouch that helps the cook-in bags, which are insulated with much milder climates and shorter cooking times in mind, retain heat while your chili mac rehydrates.
—Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Chili dogs Smith also recommends a fun take on two American classics — hot dogs and chili — that come together as an easy, inexpensive and comforting meal.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This 6-quart size from Lodge is just right for one-pot meals, soups, chili, bread, and more.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chili
Cite this Entry
“Chili.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chili. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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