chili

American  

[chil-ee] / ˈtʃɪl i /

especially British, chilli

noun

• chilies
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• chilies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chili

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

Explanation

A chili is a pungent, spicy pepper, and it's also the name of a delicious stew made of meat and beans that's flavored with chili powder. A chili, or chili pepper, is actually the berry of a Capsicum plant. Both fresh and dried chilis are used to add some heat and spice to all kinds of dishes, from Mexican mole to Indian curry and Thai stir-fry. They're also an important ingredient in chili con carne, the spicy stew whose name is often shortened to chili. The word derives from the Aztec chilli, "spicy pepper."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chili chilies

“They stop off at Pink’s and want to try a chili dog. It’s fascinating.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

From classic franks to chili dogs and perros calientes, these are the best hot dogs in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

For more heat, add a spoon of chili crisp and finely chopped green chilis.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

Average chili pepper intake varies dramatically around the world, and cooking methods, pepper varieties, genetics, smoking, alcohol use, and other dietary habits may all influence the results.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

He and Katherine had rushed through the leftover chili so they could get to Chip’s house.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

It was painful to stand on the balcony, where I grow my tomatoes and chilies, and watch plumes of smoke rise on the horizon as puffs of interceptions appeared in the blue sky.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

“And turtles? And the fact that, like, it’s all stewed up with, like, chilies and peppers and onions and like, ‘Oh, you really made this a dish?’

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2025

Day laborers sort red chilies that have been dried in the scorching sunshine of India’s Andhra Pradesh state.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 26, 2024

In no particular order — Calabrian chilies, pickled onions and the freshest bread your local bakery can provide you with.

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2024

We lined up the spinach, tomatoes, onions, chilies, and other ingredients on the table.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani