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
Best Choice Products 6-Quart Cast-Iron Dutch Oven Making soup, stews, chili, and even homemade bread is a breeze in this 6-quart Dutch oven.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
Use spices strategically Adding spices like chili, cayenne, black pepper or ginger may help curb winter hunger by increasing feelings of fullness and slightly suppressing appetite.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Side items include mashed potatoes, chili garlic Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, and more.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
Hot Springs If your South Dakota road trip brings you through Hot Springs—home to the largest concentration of Columbian mammoth bones in the world—swing by Wandering Bison Coffee for breakfast sandwiches and pastries for breakfast or chili, salads, and wraps for lunch.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025
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Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
Use spices strategically Adding spices like chili, cayenne, black pepper or ginger may help curb winter hunger by increasing feelings of fullness and slightly suppressing appetite.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Side items include mashed potatoes, chili garlic Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, and more.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
Hot Springs If your South Dakota road trip brings you through Hot Springs—home to the largest concentration of Columbian mammoth bones in the world—swing by Wandering Bison Coffee for breakfast sandwiches and pastries for breakfast or chili, salads, and wraps for lunch.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 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 21 Dec. 2025.
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