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

Well, whatever your reason, the midi-length pencil skirt is a nice transitional piece for winter days that don’t merit a whole tights-and-peacoat situation but are still too chilly for a miniskirt, and the garment is surprisingly versatile. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Nov. 2025

The chilly weather will last into the final weekend of November. —Bill Kelly, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

The winter season makes everyone excited about snowy days and chilly nights. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2025

Peal beat Maplewood 6-0 on a chilly day in front of 20,000 fans. —Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 25 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