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

Over the years, the Hoffs have hosted family reunions, team banquets, chili cookouts and dozens of other outdoor gatherings. —Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026

Korean fried chicken is glazed with chili honey and drizzled with truffle ranch. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026

Similar to traditional chili, this meatless version gets its flavor from tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, beans, cumin, garlic, and onion. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026

Think black vinegar, chili crisp, sesame sauce, and plenty more store-bought or homemade sauces. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 20 Feb. 2026

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