plural chills
1
: a cold feeling : a degree of cold that can be felt and that is usually unpleasant
There was a chill in the autumn air.
He closed the windows to keep out the chill.
I'll turn on the heat for a bit, just to take the chill off. [=raise the temperature slightly to a comfortable level]
2
a
: a feeling of being cold
Her symptoms include chills and a fever.
b
: an illness that makes you feel cold
He caught a chill that turned into a bad cold.
3
: a sudden feeling of fear
I feel a chill (of fear) every time I look at the photograph.
The novel's final scene gave him the chills.
Her words sent chills down my spine.
4
a
: a cold and unfriendly quality
I felt the chill of my opponent's stare.
b
: a change that causes less friendly relations between people, countries, etc.
There has been a chill in diplomatic relations. [=diplomatic relations have grown colder]
chills; chilled; chilling
1
a
: to make (someone or something) cold or cool
Chill the dessert for one hour before serving it.
—often used as (be) chilledThe spectators were chilled by the cold wind.
chilled wine
a chilled soup
I was chilled to the bone/marrow. [=very cold]
b
: to become cold or cool
Let the dessert chill for one hour before serving it.
2
: to cause (someone) to feel afraid
Here's a ghost story that will chill you.
Her screams chilled me to the bone/marrow.
a horrible sight that chilled my bones/blood
3
informal
a
: to become more relaxed : to become less tense, anxious, or angry
He thinks his parents are way too uptight and says they should just chill.
—often + outThey should just chill out.
—often used as a commandChill (out), man.
b
: to spend time in a relaxed manner
I decided to stay home and chill.
—often + outShe's been chilling out with her girlfriends.
somewhat formal
: unpleasantly cold : chilly
The nights grew chill.
The chill weather kept us indoors.
a chill wind
Cite this Entry
“Chill.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/chill. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.
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