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

The Bet on the North Pays Off Alpha Estate’s story in Amyndeon PDO region began with a decision to invest in a region that was chilly, remote, and not widely understood. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

The program’s popularity belies the chilly reception the proposal initially received. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026

Being able to switch on the heat when things got chilly in the middle of the night was one of our favorite features on the ID. — New Atlas, 26 June 2026

Plus, airplanes tend to be chilly, so my mom always appreciates having a soft cardigan like this simple style to throw on. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

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