chilly
Americanadjective
-
mildly cold or producing a sensation of cold; causing shivering; chill.
a chilly breeze.
-
feeling cold; sensitive to cold.
Her hands were chilly.
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without warmth of feeling; cool.
a chilly reply.
-
producing or likely to produce a feeling of fear; frightening.
He told a chilly story of ghosts and murder.
adverb
adjective
-
causing or feeling cool or moderately cold
-
without warmth; unfriendly
-
(of people) sensitive to cold
Related Words
See cold.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of chilly
Explanation
Did someone leave a window open? It's chilly in here! That word means "cold," and it can also mean that someone's acting in a frosty way. The main meaning of chilly is cold, but this word is often used for emotions too, just like "warm." A warm person is loving and kind, but a chilly person is unemotional, distant, and quiet. Chilly people are often called "aloof" — another word for someone who's not acting like a people person. "After you turned them in for cheating on their homework, they gave you a chilly reception."
Vocabulary lists containing chilly
Wintry Words
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Chill Out! Synonyms for "Cold"
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Sula
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2023, former Olympian Michael Phelps became the brand ambassador for Chilly Goat, whose Alpine Terrain cold tub includes a water purification system and Wi-Fi and retails for $9,495.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025
Chilly temperatures are expected to bottom out Wednesday in Southern California, with a possible lift toward the weekend.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2025
"With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy, but he is going to struggle because of his position. He is going to struggle," said Maresca.
From BBC • Aug. 26, 2024
Chilly, sure, but mind you that’s if it doesn’t have an atmosphere.
From Scientific American • Apr. 10, 2023
"I can't stand this waiting about. Chilly too."
From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
