chilly

[chil-ee]

adjective

chillier, chilliest 

1. mildly cold or producing a sensation of cold; causing shivering; chill.

   a chilly breeze.

2. feeling cold; sensitive to cold.

   Her hands were chilly.

3. without warmth of feeling; cool.

   a chilly reply.

4. producing or likely to produce a feeling of fear; frightening.

   He told a chilly story of ghosts and murder.

adverb

1. Also chillily in a mildly cold manner.

   The wind blew chilly.

chilly

/ ˈtʃɪlɪ /

adjective

1. causing or feeling cool or moderately cold

2. without warmth; unfriendly

3. (of people) sensitive to cold

Other Word Forms

• chilliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chilly¹

First recorded in 1560–70; chill + -y ¹

Synonym Study

See cold.

Example Sentences

Such theological reasoning is serious, stalwart and chilly, not unrelated to the cold logic of double predestination and the denial of free will.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On the chilly afternoon of April 10, the stands of Griffith Stadium were packed for the Washington Senators’ opening-day game against the Chicago White Sox.

Read more on Literature

And as I stroll along the promenade on a chilly autumn morning I'm aware of the dozens of other people also meandering in their own world, each with their own special link to this place.

Read more on BBC

With spooky season in full swing, curating fall vibes is essential to truly enjoying our chillier months.

Read more on MarketWatch

It never got much better for the Bruins on a chilly, cloudy Saturday afternoon that was darker than the foreboding weather.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breezy 
• brisk 
• cool 
• crisp 
• freezing 
• frosty 
• icy 
• wintry