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• chi
  chi

  noun

  the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet (X, χ).
• Chi
  Chi

  noun

  Chicago.
• Ch'i
  Ch'i

  noun

  one of two dynasties that ruled in China a.d. 479–502 and, as the Northern Ch'i, a.d. 550–77.

chi

¹ American  

[kahy] / kaɪ /

noun

chis plural

1. the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet (X, χ).

2. the consonant sound represented by this letter.

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chi ² American  

[chee] / tʃi /

noun

Wade-Giles.

1. qi.

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Chi ³ American  

[chahy] / tʃaɪ /

noun

1. Chicago.

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Ch'i ⁴ American  

[chyee] / tʃji /

(Pinyin) Qi

noun

1. one of two dynasties that ruled in China a.d. 479–502 and, as the Northern Ch'i, a.d. 550–77.

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chi ¹ British  

/ kaɪ /

noun

1. the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet (Χ, χ), a consonant, transliterated as ch or rarely kh

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chi ² British  

/ tʃiː /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) (in Oriental medicine, martial arts, etc) vital energy believed to circulate round the body in currents

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• chis
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chi¹

From Greek

Origin of Chi³

By shortening

Example Sentences

I just do a little bit of tai chi and I play ping-pong with my wife.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

"I've tried antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzos, sleeping pills and stimulants, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy... tai chi, reiki, meditation, veganism, art therapy and music therapy," the former stand-up comedian said.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Former international rugby referee Nigel Owens said "Meddwl amdano chi" which translates to thinking of you.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025

Yu calls the concept “sponge city” and says it’s like “doing tai chi with water,” a reference to the Chinese martial art in which an opponent’s energy and moves are redirected, not resisted.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 31, 2024

He would not throw away his chi; he had already told Papa this many times.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie