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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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

The influence of the Queen City is ubiquitous: The fast food is Skyline Chili, not Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Reds and Bengals are as important as the Wildcats.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

Sitting in the High Court in the southeastern city of Pietermaritzburg, judge Nkosinathi Chili said the "interests of justice" demanded that the case proceed.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The deal, made through Sony’s venture with Singapore’s sovereign-wealth fund GIC, will give Sony Music Publishing ownership of works performed by Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Journey, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

And the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ L.A. sports-loving bassist Flea chimed in there too: “Gotta love the Jaquez family! Go Bruins.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

That’s what he was doing now, as he listened to his Red Hot Chili Peppers CD on his portable stereo.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly