chili

American  

[chil-ee] / ˈtʃɪl i /

especially British, chilli

noun

plural

chilies

1. Sometimes chile a hearty stew that is also used as a topping condiment on other dishes and has varied recipes and ingredients, with or without meat, ultimately derived from the Mexican-style chili con carne.

2. chili con carne.

3. chile.

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Etymology

Origin of chili

First recorded in 1655–65; from Mexican Spanish chile, from Nahuatl chīlli “chile pepper”

Example Sentences

Shortly after Meadow Lane opened, customers posted online about undercooked chicken nuggets; another shopper, who was lactose intolerant, said that she’d bought chili topped with cheese that wasn’t on the list of ingredients.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

“This phrase appears several times, and is ridiculous because Martin hails from Puerto Rico, where the local cuisine includes neither chili peppers nor tamales, both of which come from Mexico.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

Take beef chili with beans: it’s aromatic with onions, garlic, and spices; hearty thanks to the beans; savory with beef, stock, and tomato paste; soft with tomatoes.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

Fatty slices of avocado, dusted with everything bagel seasoning or drizzled in chili crisp?

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

The chili was warm, with a wonderful kick.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken