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 adverb
chilliness noun

Example Sentences

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 Discount retailer Gilt slashed prices on popular The North Face puffer vests, fleeces, and more staple outerwear for chilly weather. Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2023 Exact timing may vary, but many tours typically start in the evening and end in the early hours of the morning, so prepare for a long (and chilly) night. Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2023 Read full article Much of the day was gorgeously sunny, perfect for a party, albeit windy and chilly. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Mar. 2023 But in Japan, the strawberry crop peaks in wintertime — a chilly season of picture-perfect berries, the most immaculate ones selling for hundreds of dollars apiece to be given as special gifts. Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2023 Our long, chilly winter finally comes to an end on Monday with the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2023 The fridge, too, is in use: there’s an amazing shot of Nemo, parched and desperate, inserting his head into the icebox and licking the chilly moisture from the sides. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2023 Temperatures throughout the state will remain chilly. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 16 Mar. 2023 After a chilly start this morning in the upper 20s and low 30s, temperatures also show some improvement from yesterday, with afternoon highs in the low 50s. Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chilly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chilly was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near chilly

Cite this Entry

“Chilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilly. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective
chillier; chilliest
1
: noticeably cold
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
3
: not friendly
a chilly response
chilliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chilly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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