chilly

adjective

ˈchi-lē 

chillier; chilliest

1

: noticeably cold : chilling

a chilly day

2

: unpleasantly affected by cold

chilly spectators

3

: lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly

a chilly reception

4

: tending to arouse fear or apprehension

chilly suspicions

chillily

ˈchi-lə-lē 

adverb

chilliness

ˈchi-lē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of chilly

• chilling
• chill
• bleak
• bitter
• cold
• frigid
• brisk
• icy
• freezing

Examples of chilly in a Sentence

It's a little chilly outside.

You must be chilly without a coat on.

They gave him a chilly reception.

Recent Examples on the Web

After getting off to a hot start from 3-point range to open the season, entering the game shooting over 46% from long distance as a team, the chilly weather crept into Halton, cooling off the green and white. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2025

Another diver, Timo Dersch, who had been swimming through the chilly waters surrounding Norway in early 2025, also came close to getting gobbled up. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025

Do something to distract from the still-chilly temps by getting your gear ready. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 2025

Friday’s weather should remain chilly (by South Florida standards) at night with a low of 68 degrees. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chilly

• billie
• billy
• chilli
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly
• hilly
• lily
• philly
• really

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective

ˈchil-ē 

chillier; chilliest

1

: noticeably cold

2

: unpleasantly affected by cold

3

: not friendly

a chilly response

chilliness noun